Only 31.8% of Mazda workers voted for their union representation

With a low turnout of just 31.8%, Mazda plant workers in Guanajuatodecided that the Autonomous Confederation of Workers and Employees of Mexico (CAT) become the union organization that represents them in their collective bargaining agreement.

The voting process was held on October 17 and three union organizations were presented: CATthe Confederation of Workers of Mexico (CTM) -who supported the union representation- and the “Froylan González Daniel” Union that is part of the Confederation of Autonomous Unions (SEWED).

In accordance with Reynol NeyraSecretary of Political Action of CATEM, explained that the registry of Mazda workers for this process was 4,400, but only 1,400 voted. Of which, CATEM obtained 486 votes in favor; CTM 430, and the “Froylan González” union 384, in addition to 100 votes were null.

“We expected a greater participation, it was publicized and the conditions that could attend were generated, however, this gives us the possibility of administering the collective bargaining agreement,” the secretary of Political Action told El Economista.

He justified the low turnout, given that “there was a CTM campaign that inhibited workers from voting, the CTM did have access to the workplace, and we know that there was a very strong campaign to prevent workers from electing a new union, but there were brave people who defended their right to vote,” he said.

It should be noted that this is the second collective contract won by CATEM – the organization that leads Peter Do-, and which represents a significant number of workers, and which is added to that of Nissan of Aguascalientes.

Reynol Neyra explained that “we are inaugurating new times, with this number of votes union representation is defined, the challenge will be to show why the change, and we will go to win the trust of the rest of the workers by doing things differently, where their voice have value”.

Despite being the obligation of all unions, the CATEM says that it focuses its strategy on three axes: the first one that the worker knows about their collective bargaining agreement; consult the workers when there is any type of agreement, and with their participation the request for contractual revisions is drawn up; “we will make daily the consultation exercises to the worker”; and finally they will be owners of their union dues, they will know what fate they will take.

The CATEM card is added to the previous offer, it is a benefit for workers with which they grant minor medical expenses, aid for death, psychological counseling; There is also CATEM University and telephony with the same name, at a lower cost.

The CATEM Political Action Secretary stated that “we achieved the three Nissan contracts for the Aguascalientes plant, around 10,000 workers; in addition to those that add Mazda, with 5,000; and we will seek the ownership of the contract of a Mazda warehouse, we are advancing to the extent that the workers seek us out and join us”.