The White House, backed by powerful labor unions, is escalating a labor dispute at a major mine in central Mexico. The United States Trade Representative (USTR) is utilizing the Rapid Response Labor Mechanism (RRM) in the 2020 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to address concerns related to workers' rights.
The dispute dates back to 2007 when the Mexican miners' union Los Mineros went on strike at Grupo Mexico's San Martin mine in Sombrerete, Zacatecas. Safety conditions at the site were a key issue. The mine reopened in 2018 after a deal was struck with workers' coalition Los Trabajadores Coaligados.
Despite Mexico's objections, the USTR invoked the RRM in response to a petition filed by labor groups. The process has faced pushback from the Mexican government, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Grupo Mexico, with concerns raised about jurisdiction and transparency.
The case could lead to the closure of the San Martin mine, impacting the local economy and Mexico's overall economy. The mine employs about 1,000 workers and is a significant producer of lead, zinc, copper, and silver.
The USTR's actions have drawn criticism from various quarters, with concerns raised about the retroactive nature of the case and its potential implications for future labor disputes. The case could also have personal implications for Los Mineros General-Secretary Napoleon Gomez Urrutia.
As the case unfolds, stakeholders continue to express diverging views on the use of the RRM and its potential outcomes. The USTR, AFL-CIO, USW, and Los Mineros have not provided comments on the matter.
