Labor Conditions in Mexico’s Volkswagen. The Effects of Union’s Actions (2000-2015)

• Main Author: José Antonio Espinal Betanzo
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Colegio de México 2017-09-01
• Series: Estudios Sociológicos
• Subjects: condiciones laborales; ciudadanía fabril; sindicatos; SITIAVW; Volkswagen; industria automotriz
• Online Access: https://estudiossociologicos.colmex.mx/index.php/es/article/view/1466

This paper analyzes the development of labor conditions at Mexico’s Volkswagen plant, as well as the strategies of the Union’s Executive Committees to influence them during the time frame that goes from 2000 to 2015. My main thesis is that the union actions are the cause that explains the workers’ prerogatives evolution in that transnational. The study identifies three sub-cycles during this period: in the first one, the wages and prerogatives grow; in the second one, the amount of hired workers and their income raise; and in the third one, the workforce, wages and social benefits also rise. This research is based on in-depth interviews with workers and union leaders; we also analyzed Collective Bargaining Agreements and the Union Statutes, as well as documental research.