Workers Vote For Independent Union at GM Silao in Mexico

In a decisive setback for General Motors’ old-style union practices in corrupt Mexico, 90% of the 6,232 workers at a plant in Silao in Mexico have cast their votes to elect new union representatives. With an overwhelming majority of 76% SINTTIA won. This is on the cutting edge for democratic unions in Mexico in the aftermath of the country’s labor reform.

In August of 2021, workers rejected the collective agreement signed by the old Miguel Trujillo López union, affiliated to the Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM), accusing that union of siding with GM and putting the company’s interests before those of its workers. The rejection of the agreement meant holding elections to choose a new union. (Read AutoInformed on: GM Plant Workers Face Threats After Voting Out Corrupt Union; GM Workers in Mexico Reject Corrupt Union to Form New One)

IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie says that this is an incredibly important victory and proof that the labor reform implemented by the Mexican government in 2019 can indeed have a positive effect for workers as it provides them with a real chance to cast their vote in free and fair elections.

“We congratulate SINTTIA* whose massive win shows that Mexican auto workers want to be represented by an authentic, uncompromised, independent and transparent trade union. There are more elections to come and this win will strengthen the democratic structures,” Høie said. The global union asked General Motors to enter into a fair and transparent process of collective bargaining with SINTTIA.

* Sindicato  Independente Nacional de Trabajadores y Trabajadoras de la Industria Automotriz