UAW Launches Solidarity Project for Mexican Autoworkers

TL/DR -

The UAW International Executive Board has voted to establish a project in support of Mexican autoworkers fighting for improved working and economic conditions. The initiative is designed to strengthen solidarity between US and Mexican workers, offering resources to independent unions and workers in Mexico. The move comes as over 10,000 non-union US autoworkers have signed up to join the UAW, with the union pledging $40 million through 2026 to support non-union autoworkers and battery workers organizing across the US.

UAW International Executive Board Launches Solidarity Initiative for Mexican Autoworkers

DETROIT — The UAW International Executive Board cast a defining vote on Wednesday to launch a solidarity project aimed at uplifting autoworkers in Mexico. This initiative targets the fight for economic justice and enhanced working conditions for these workers. It seeks to provide resources to Mexican workers and independent Mexican unions, fostering stronger cross-border solidarity between American and Mexican autoworkers.

Corporations have leveraged poor trade laws for years, offshoring thousands of US manufacturing jobs to Mexico. Here, the companies take advantage of long-suppressed worker wages and conditions, using the threat of job offshoring to stifle worker dissatisfaction and labor organizing attempts in the US.

With the onset of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994, Mexican autoworker wages have seen a significant decrease. Despite a seven-fold increase in Mexico's automotive workforce under NAFTA, wages, benefits, and working conditions continue to lag behind.

This UAW solidarity initiative for Mexico comes at a crucial time for the organization. Over 10,000 non-union autoworkers have signed up to join the UAW. The UAW recently committed $40 million through 2026 to new organizing funds supporting non-union autoworkers and battery workers organizing across the US.

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