9 February, 2012The Confederation of Japan Automobile Workers' Unions (JAW) meets with the independent union STUHM and the International Metalworkers' Federation in Mexico and reiterates its expectation for fair and free union elections at Honda Mexico consistent with ILO Conventions 87 and 98.
MEXICO: The International Metalworkers' Federation joined with representatives of the Confederation of Japan Automobile Workers' Unions (JAW) in late January to offer their support for fair and neutral elections to be held at Honda in Mexico, according to Conventions 87 and 98 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The JAW expressed its expectations for fair and free elections to be held at Honda Mexico during a meeting with the IMF in Mexico from January 25 to 28, held to discuss the situation with the independent union Sindicato de Trabajadores Unidos de Honda de México (STUHM).
The workers at Honda Mexico have been covered by a protection contract with a CTM union for over 25 years. Seeking real representation and collective bargaining rights and resisting the CTM protection contract, the workers chose to create an independent union called STUHM, which gained official recognition in September 2011.
A short time later some of the leaders of the union, including General Secretary Jose Luis Solario, were dismissed by the company. The dismissed workers are seeking reinstatement and the process is still ongoing. At the end of 2011 company management also sent a letter to all employees clearly denouncing the independent union.
Concerned about the situation in Mexico and having discussed the matter with STUHM at an IMF auto meeting in 2011, the JAW sent its delegation to Mexico to investigate further and assist in building a relationship based on direct communication and mutual trust between the independent union and company management.
For at least 25 years Honda Mexico has had a protection contract in place with a CTM "pseudo union". Through a complaint to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the IMF is seeking redress against the undemocratic principles of protection contracts, which are currently supported by Mexican authorities. (See previous story: http://www.imfmetal.org/index.cfm?c=18937)
Companies operating in Mexico frequently enter so called "protection contracts" which often only provide for minimum wages and conditions or slightly better conditions. Crucially, employees often have no knowledge of these contracts and are therefore excluded from the negotiation process. In addition democratic elections for union representatives rarely take place, leaving workers with no real representation. Employers "protect" themselves with such agreements with CTM against the demands and interests of their employees through the widespread use of this "protection union" or "protection contract" system.
At some companies in Mexico workers are now resisting this undemocratic system and are attempting to organise independent unions. These attempts are being suppressed by most companies with the support of CTM through threats against the employees including dismissal of union leaders.
The IMF is strongly pushing back against this undemocratic system of "protection unions" and is actively supporting the formation of free and democratic unions.