What is it about?

VW has manufactured vehicles Puebla, Mexico for over 70 years. Its union is famous for its independence. Why did workers file a complaint against both VW and its union under USMCA's Rapid Response Mechanism and what was the outcome?

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Why is it important?

The VW Mexico RRM Labor case is important because it shows the complexity of labor relations and changing labor norms in Mexico over time. VW's union is known for its vibrancy and independence. Seven slates of officer candidates ran in the 2023 VW union election in Puebla, Mexico. Nevertheless, incumbent union leaders who lost an election at this famously democratic union were fired as an unwritten workplace practice determined to be unlawful under Mexican labor law. My comment shows how workers and their advocates leveraged the USMCA RRM to ensure that the fired workers' right to freedom of association was protected - and that their right to be free of unlawful termination under Mexican labor law was protected. My comment also highlights the different perspectives of US and Mexican authorities on the case.

Perspectives

Writing this article underscored for me that maintaining democracy and democratic norms requires constant vigilance - even in the case of a union famous for its history of strength and democratic norms. It also showed me that having workplace laws that protect workers from unjustifiable termination feeds into the protection of workers' rights to freedom of association and due process. While the USA often believes it has much to teach its trade partners like Mexico, this case showed me that the USA also has much to learn from other countries.

Tequila Brooks

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This page is a summary of: What Happened to el sindicato de los Vochitos? Mexico and the United States Settle Freedom of Association Complaint, International Labor Rights Case Law, March 2025, De Gruyter,
DOI: 10.1163/24056901-11010003.
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