Brown, Wyden Stand With Workers In First USMCA “Rapid Response” Labor Case
Brown-Wyden Provision in USMCA would Help Enforce Fair Labor Practices & Address Off-Shoring, by Allowing Workers in Mexico to Report When a Company is Violating their Rights
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) are standing with workers following the announcement from the AFL-CIO, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the Sindicato Nacional Independiente de Trabajadores de Industrias y de Servicios MOVIMIENTO 20/32 (SNITIS), and Public Citizen that they have filed the first complaint under the Brown-Wyden Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The complaint is against Tridonex, an auto parts factory located in Matamoros in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Brown and Wyden fought for and successfully secured important worker-empowering provision as part of the USMCA, for the first time, empowering workers to bring cases alleging labor violations at the facility level. When corporations are held accountable in paying workers a living wage and treating them fairly, regardless of where those workers are located, companies no longer have an incentive to move jobs abroad – thereby protecting workers on both sides of the border.
“The Brown-Wyden rapid response mechanism was designed for cases just like this – to help remedy outrageous violations of workers’ rights,” said Brown. “When corporations are forced to pay workers a living wage and treat them with dignity, no matter where those workers are located, then we take away the incentive for them to move jobs abroad. I voted for the USMCA because of its labor enforcement provision, and I stand in solidarity with the workers in Mexico and their lawyer, Susana Prieto Terrazas, in their fight for the dignity of work.”
“Today’s petition, on behalf of workers in Mexico is a critical test of the Brown-Wyden rapid response mechanism and the ability of the USMCA to deliver the labor reforms Mexico promised,” said Wyden. “This thorough and compelling petition details exactly the type of labor violations that have long been a concern in Mexico and a detriment to workers everywhere. I look forward to working with USTR to ensure the petition is thoroughly considered and the rights of workers on both sides of the border are vindicated.”
“Trade deals only work when we enforce labor standards to protect workers," said Sen. Warren. "I’m glad to see the USMCA complaint today from the AFL-CIO, SEIU, SNITIS, and Public Citizen against Mexican auto parts factories that fired over 600 workers for organizing.”
The Brown-Wyden Provision that Brown helped secure represents the first-ever overhaul of labor enforcement standards in a trade agreement since the U.S. started negotiating trade deals. The new agreement allows workers in Mexico to report when a company is violating their rights and seek immediate action if it’s determined that workers’ rights have been violated. The Brown-Wyden RRM allows for punitive damages when corporations violate labor protections, and gives the authority for the U.S. to prevent goods from coming into America if companies continue their anti-worker tactics.
“The USMCA's Rapid Response Mechanism sets a precedent for ensuring that worker rights commitments are enforced at the facility level so that workers can join a union and advocate for improved working conditions without fear of retaliation,” said Cathy Feingold, AFL-CIO International Director.
Brown led the charge in the House of Representatives against NAFTA, forecasting the harm it would have on American workers and families. The USMCA was the first trade deal that Brown voted for. Brown will continue pushing for trade and economic policies that value workers over corporations
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BROWN, WYDEN STAND WITH WORKERS IN FIRST USMCA “RAPID RESPONSE” LABOR CASE
Brown-Wyden Provision in USMCA would Help Enforce Fair Labor Practices & Address Off-Shoring, by Allowing Workers in Mexico to Report When a Company is Violating their Rights
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) are standing with workers following the announcement from the AFL-CIO, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the Sindicato Nacional Independiente de Trabajadores de Industrias y de Servicios MOVIMIENTO 20/32 (SNITIS), and Public Citizen that they have filed the first complaint under the Brown-Wyden Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The complaint is against Tridonex, an auto parts factory located in Matamoros in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Brown and Wyden fought for and successfully secured important worker-empowering provision as part of the USMCA, for the first time, empowering workers to bring cases alleging labor violations at the facility level. When corporations are held accountable in paying workers a living wage and treating them fairly, regardless of where those workers are located, companies no longer have an incentive to move jobs abroad – thereby protecting workers on both sides of the border.
“The Brown-Wyden rapid response mechanism was designed for cases just like this – to help remedy outrageous violations of workers’ rights,” said Brown. “When corporations are forced to pay workers a living wage and treat them with dignity, no matter where those workers are located, then we take away the incentive for them to move jobs abroad. I voted for the USMCA because of its labor enforcement provision, and I stand in solidarity with the workers in Mexico and their lawyer, Susana Prieto Terrazas, in their fight for the dignity of work.”
“Today’s petition, on behalf of workers in Mexico is a critical test of the Brown-Wyden rapid response mechanism and the ability of the USMCA to deliver the labor reforms Mexico promised,” said Wyden. “This thorough and compelling petition details exactly the type of labor violations that have long been a concern in Mexico and a detriment to workers everywhere. I look forward to working with USTR to ensure the petition is thoroughly considered and the rights of workers on both sides of the border are vindicated.”
“Trade deals only work when we enforce labor standards to protect workers," said Sen. Warren. "I’m glad to see the USMCA complaint today from the AFL-CIO, SEIU, SNITIS, and Public Citizen against Mexican auto parts factories that fired over 600 workers for organizing.”
The Brown-Wyden Provision that Brown helped secure represents the first-ever overhaul of labor enforcement standards in a trade agreement since the U.S. started negotiating trade deals. The new agreement allows workers in Mexico to report when a company is violating their rights and seek immediate action if it’s determined that workers’ rights have been violated. The Brown-Wyden RRM allows for punitive damages when corporations violate labor protections, and gives the authority for the U.S. to prevent goods from coming into America if companies continue their anti-worker tactics.
“The USMCA's Rapid Response Mechanism sets a precedent for ensuring that worker rights commitments are enforced at the facility level so that workers can join a union and advocate for improved working conditions without fear of retaliation,” said Cathy Feingold, AFL-CIO International Director.
Brown led the charge in the House of Representatives against NAFTA, forecasting the harm it would have on American workers and families. The USMCA was the first trade deal that Brown voted for. Brown will continue pushing for trade and economic policies that value workers over corporations.
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