See also US Department of Labor webpage on Tridonex proceeding.
May 10, 2021: AFL-CIO, Service Employees International Union, Public Citizen Global Trade Watch, and Sindicato National Independiente de Trabajadores de Industrias y Servicios “Movimiento 20/32” announce filing of first complaint under USMCA Rapid Response Mechanism Interim Procedural Guidelines, requesting establishment of panel to investigate denial of labor rights at Tridonex S de RL de CV auto parts plants in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
June 9, 2021: After review of May 10 complaint by interagency committee, USTR announces a request by US to Mexico to review whether workers at the Tridonex plant are being denied rights of free association and collective bargaining.
June 19, 2021: Mexico’s Ministries of Economy and Labor state that they have received US request regarding Tridonex plant and will review the case.
August 10, 2021: USTR and Mexican auto parts firm Tridonex announce agreement that Tridonex will provide severance, back pay and a commitment to neutrality in future union elections. Announcement also notes that the Government of Mexico has agreed to help facilitate workers’ rights training for Tridonex employees, monitor any union representation election at the facility, and investigate any claims of workers’ rights violations reported by employees at the plant. USTR Fact Sheet on the agreement here; Tridonex commitments/action plan here.
August 10, 2021: Joint Communiqué by Mexico’s Ministries of Economy and Labor notes the USTR announcement, and states that Mexico’s investigation of the petition concerning Tridonex had shown that the facts alleged took place prior to the entry into force of USMCA, therefore there was no denial of rights for workers at the plant within the meaning of USMCA.
August 11: At press conference, Mexican Secretary of Economy Tatiana Clouthier emphasizes that acts or facts which took place prior to the July 1, 2020 entry into force of USMCA are not subject to the treaty, and Mexico will not accept labor disputes under the Rapid Response Mechanism concerning facts prior to that date. Clouthier notes that the USTR agreement was reached on US territory, between USTR and Tridonex’s US parent company Cardone Industries, concerning actions to be taken by Tridonex.
28 February 2022: Workers at Tridonex auto parts plant in Matamoros, Mexico choose the independent union SNITIS over the existing CTM-affiliate CITPME union, by 84% (1126 to 176). Mexican government announcement of results; USTR/US Labor Department statement; report by El Economista; by Reuters. While the CTM obtained an injunction (amparo) from a Mexican court protecting its representation of the Tridonex workers, reportedly the Fourth Collegiate Court denied this injunction on August 11, confirming recognition of SNITIS.