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Nike Campaign Update Maquila Solidarity Network September 25, 2001 Major Breakthrough in Mexico: Kuk Dong Workers Win Independent Union We have received word that workers at the Kuk Dong factory in Atlixco, Puebla, Mexico have finally won their independent union and a signed collective agreement. This is a precedent-setting victory that could open the door to worker organizing in Mexico's maquiladora sector where, to date, independent unions have not been tolerated. On September 21, the new collective agreement was signed by the company,which has changed its name to Mex Mode, and the independent union, now known as SITEMEX. That same day the contract was filed with the Puebla Conciliation and Arbitration Board, and the union was granted its legal registration. Of the 450 workers currently employed at the factory, 399 signed the application for the independent union. The workers had formerly been "represented" by the FROC-CROC, an "official" labour federation linked to the Puebla State government and Mexico's historical ruling party, the PRI. On August 31, an agreement was reached between all parties involved in the dispute recognizing the independent union and terminating the "protection contract" between the company and the FROC-CROC. The victory is the product of a difficult nine-month struggle by the workers for their right to be represented by the union of their choice. It could not have been possible without the coordinated support provided by the Workers Support Centre (CAT) in Mexico, Students Against Sweatshops groups in the US and Canada, labour organizations including the AFL-CIO and CLC, and solidarity groups including the US Labor Education in the Americas Project (US/LEAP), Campaign for Labor Rights, the Korean House for International Solidarity, and the Maquila Solidarity Network. MSN would like to give special thanks to the 19 Canadian religious, labour, women's, and non-governmental organizations that signed a joint letter to the Mexican government in support of the workers' right to be represented by the union of their choice. On August 17, that letter was presented to the Mexican Ambassador by representatives of the CLC and the Social Affairs Office of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. Other organizations that played crucial roles in documenting worker rights violations at the factory and convincing major buyers such as Nike, Reebok and a number of US universities to intervene in support of the workers' right to freedom of association include the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC), the International Labor Rights Fund (ILRF), Verit?, Mexican labour lawyer Arturo Alcalde, and Professor Huberto Juarez and students at the Autonomous University of Puebla. HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THE WORKERS This important victory will be a hollow one if the major buyers Nike and Reebok walk away from the factory and fail to live up to their commitment to resume and continue placing orders with Mex Mode. We urge you to help the workers consolidate their victory by writing to Nike and Reebok thanking them for the positive role they have played and strongly urging them to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to the right of workers to freedom of association by placing orders with Mex Mode. Thanks to all the members and friends of MSN who responded to our many urgent action alerts with letters of support for the workers at Mex Mode, formerly Kuk Dong. Sample Letter (Please write your own, and send a copy to MSN.) Vada Manager, Director, Global Issues Management Nike Inc. One Bowerman Drive Beaverton, OR 97003-6433 USA Fax: (503) 671-6300 E-mail: vada.manager@nike.com Dear Mr. Manager: I am writing to thank Nike for the positive role your company played in helping to ensure that workers' right to freedom of association at the Mex Mode factory, formerly known as Kuk Dong, in Atlixco, Mexico are respected. I am very pleased to learn that the company and the local Mexican labour board have recognized the union of the workers' choice, and that the new union, SITEMEX, and Mex Mode have successfully negotiated a collective agreement. I would strongly urge your company to demonstrate your ongoing commitment to the right of workers to freedom of association by not walking away from Mex Mode now that a fair resolution to the dispute has been achieved. Please make good on your commitment to the workers at Mex Mode by resuming and continuing to place orders with the factory. I look forward to receiving word that your company is placing and will continue to place orders with Mex Mode as long as the workers' rights are respected. Yours truly, Please adapt the above letter and send to: Doug Cahn, Vice President, Human Rights Programs Reebok 1895 J. W. Foster Boulevard Canton, MA 02021 USA Fax: 781-401-4806 Email: doug.cahn@reebok.com
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