mobile-menu-icon
GM Authority

GM Silao Plant Workers Vote In New Independent Union

Workers at the GM Silao Assembly plant in Mexico have voted in the independent SINTTIA union, ousting Mexico’s largest labor organization, which had represented employees at the facility for more than 25 years.

Employees at the GM Silao plant previously voted to oust the Confederation of Mexican Workers (also known as the Miguel Trujillo Lopez union) last year over poor working conditions and low pay, among other issues. This set the stage for workers to vote in a new union this week, with the independent SINTTIA union winning 78 percent of the vote.

One GM Silao plant worker, Jesus Barroso, told Reuters he voted for the SINTTIA union as he was tired of receiving a pay of just $23.27 per day (430 pesos) despite working at the plant for more than 11 years.

“We’re fed up. Being fed up is what’s making us take this decision,” the worker explained. “I think we have the right to give our families, our kids, a better quality of life.”

GM Mexico HQ

In a statement, GM said it planned to work with SINTTIA to negotiate a new contract with the GM Silao workforce.

“General Motors recognizes and appreciates the active participation of employees,” the automaker said in a statement sent to Reuters this week.

The United Auto Workers (UAW) union previously called on GM and Mexican labor authorities to ensure the GM Silao union vote went ahead in a fair and democratic fashion. U.S. lawmakers also expressed concern over the legitimacy of the coming election and the safety of opposition union leaders.

Silao plant workers voted to implement a new contract with the Confederation of Mexican Workers last year, but Mexican authorities later discovered serious irregularities in the voting process, including discarded ballots. Similarly, SINTTIA leaders received threats in the lead up to this week’s vote, which was overseen by more than 100 labor officials and was also being watched closely by officials from the U.S. government.

The Confederation of Mexican Workers, which has represented workers at GM Silao Assembly since 1995, received less than five percent of the vote in this week’s election.

Subscribe to GM Authority for more GM union news, GM business news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

Subscribe to GM Authority

For around-the-clock GM news coverage

We'll send you one email per day with the latest GM news. It's totally free.

Comments

  1. I read in one article that the ousted union announced they weren’t running in this election. That might explain why they only got 5% of the vote.

    Reply
  2. Warehouse my cousin works in they voted by more then 70% to not have a union, of course the crybaby union challenged what the employees wanted and still lost a second time.

    Reply
    1. They must like working for less pay and benefits.

      Reply
  3. I know its Mexico and wages are lower hence why manufacturing is moving south of the border but damn, $24 a day is a disgrace.

    Reply
  4. I truly believe they get just $24 a day look at the quality of the trucks that come out of Mexico,not just GM ,Ram,Ford,etc. Someone is making a hell of a profit and it’s not the working Mexicans.

    Reply
    1. I’ve had two different Ram pickups built at their Satillo plant and no complaints. They both had zero issues.

      Reply

Leave a comment

Cancel