A clash between two rival unions at the GM San Luis Potosí plant in Mexico has turned violent.
According to multiple Spanish-language news outlets, Carlos Alfaro Botello, a representative from the Carlos Leone labor union, was physically assaulted while livestreaming a call for worker support. During the broadcast, Botello urged employees to sign a petition supporting the Carlos Leone union to represent workers in the next collective bargaining agreement. However, a group of individuals identified as supporters of the rival National Auto Workers Union (SINTTIA) allegedly approached Botello during the broadcast, shouted at him to stop recording, and initiated a physical altercation.
The Carlos Leone union claims it has already collected over 1,000 signatures in support of worker representation, with the goal of collecting 2,500 signatures ahead of contract negotiations. The San Luis Potosí currently builds the ICE-based Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain crossovers.
Tensions between the Carlos Leone union and SINTTIA union have been brewing for quite some time now, with the Carlos Leone union accusing SINTTIA union of fear mongering in order to win worker loyalty, a strategy that the Carlos Leone union claims the SINTTIA union used to win over workers at the GM Silao plant. Meanwhile, the SINTTIA union accuses the Carlos Leone union of colluding with General Motors to gain access to worker data, a charge the Carlos Leone group denies.
SINTTIA has formally requested to be recognized as the official union to negotiate the next agreement. However, the Carlos Leone union is now gaining support as well.
SINTTIA recently negotiated a series of pay raises for workers at the GM Silao plant in Guanajuato, Mexico, effectively lifting two-thirds of the plant’s total workforce above the Mexican family poverty line. The pay increase includes a 10.25-percent boost at the top tier and 9.25-percent boost at the lower tier. Starting wages are now set at US$3 per hour, while the top tier is set at US$7 per hour.
The United Auto Workers (UAW) labor union in the U.S. has voiced its support for the SINTTIA labor union, highlighting “credible reports of GM management colluding with a protection union to block SINTTIA.”
Comments
Wow. The workers in Mexico make between $3.00 and $7.00 per hour and the UAW workers in the USA make between $30.00 to $40.00.
The cost to produce a Silverado in Mexico vs. Indiana has to be notably cheaper but they’re all priced the same for customers.
Think they are going to discount Mexico built?
Have had them built in all 3 countries and have not noticed a difference in build quality.
Rival unions or cartels?
Hard to tell the difference I am guessing
Rocket, Please note that hourly wages are a very small fraction of the cost associated with producing a vehicle.
Sounds like gangs more than unions!