Canada-Mexico RRM: Fraenkische Industrial Pipes México

Fraenkische Industrial Pipes México S.A. de C.V.

  • March 11, 2023: Canada’s largest private sector union Unifor, and Mexican autoworker union Sindicato Independiente Nacional De Trabajadores Y Trabajadoras De La Industria Automotriz (SINTTIA), submit complaint to Canada NAO concerning “systematic and continual denial of rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining” by Fraenkische Industrial Pipes México S.A. De C.V. at its factory in Silao.

  • March 13: Canada’s National Administrative Office (NAO) notifies submitters that petition has been accepted for review. Links: Unifor-SINTTIA press release; NAO webpage

  • May 24: Canadian government reported to be still considering this petition; SINTTIA said to be working on a recount in recent election.

  • June 14: Fraenkische workers announce that they have been working with the company and the Canadian government, and a vote to elect a new union will be held on June 26.

Final report (from Canada NAO webpage):

  • During the review process, NAO officials undertook on-site visits, interviews, and engaged in discussions with all parties concerned in the complaint. However, given the company’s willingness to address the demands put forward in the complaint by the submitters, the NAO facilitated a dialogue between the concerned parties in order to reach an agreement.

  • Discussions with the parties were effective and led to concrete and positive outcomes, that is:

    • the company issued a public statement in which it committed to respect the effective exercise of freedom of association and collective bargaining rights of Fraenkische workers

    • the company reinstated three workers who supported SINTTIA with back pay as part of the submitters’ proposal for remediation

    • the union election vote by Fraenkische workers that took place on June 26, 2023 was conducted in a fair manner and its result was confirmed by the federal labour judge on July 11, 2023. SINTTIA won the vote and is now the majority representative union for Fraenkische workers.

  • In light of these developments, the NAO considers that the allegations were addressed and has closed the case against Fraenkische.