[CTC] U.S. files first USMCA labor-review request to Mexico in services sector

[Arthur Stamoulis]

U.S. files first USMCA labor-review request to Mexico in services sector
Inside US Trade, 8/30/23
 
The U.S. has asked Mexico to review allegations that a Mexico City-based airline is denying pilots the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said on Wednesday, announcing the first use of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement’s rapid-response mechanism in the services sector.
 
The request follows a July 31 petition by the Asociación Sindical de Pilotos Aviadores de México, a Mexican union, alleging that the airline Mas Air “engaged in harassment, intimidation, and retaliation against workers because of their union affiliation,” according to a statement <https://insidetrade.com/sites/insidetrade.com/files/documents/2023/aug/wto2023_0717b.pdf> issued by USTR. The petition also charged “irregularities” in connection with a May 9 worker vote on a collective bargaining agreement, the statement adds.
 
In its request <https://insidetrade.com/sites/insidetrade.com/files/documents/2023/aug/wto2023_0717a.pdf>, the U.S. calls for review of “all actions” taken by Mas Air to support a different union or to retaliate against ASPA pilots, including asking them to resign “based in whole or part on their union activity,” among other actions by the airline or the company-aligned union.
 
“Workers’ ability to affiliate with the union of their choice is a key tenet of the freedom of association and collective bargaining rights the RRM is designed to protect,” USTR Katherine Tai said in the statement. “Today’s action highlights the United States is committed to safeguarding the labor rights enshrined in the USMCA across industries and sectors, including in services.”
 
The request marks the 13th time the U.S. has invoked the labor-review tool overall – and the third time Washington has used the tool to address concerns about a facility outside the autos sector.
 
Last week, the U.S. escalated one of those cases – for the first time seeking a panel to evaluate <https://insidetrade.com/node/177662> alleged worker rights violations after the Mexican government rejected an initial U.S. request. Mexico contends the request, which targeted a Mexican mine, falls outside the scope of the RRM because it centers on events that happened before USMCA’s entry into force. -- Margaret Spiegelman (mspiegelman at iwpnews.com <mailto:mspiegelman at iwpnews.com>)

Arthur Stamoulis
Citizens Trade Campaign
(202) 494-8826




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