June 10, 2010

In 2006, in response to a number of worker rights violations and complaints, including unpaid wages, deteriorating and unsafe working conditions, violations of freedom of association and gender discrimination, a group of workers at JCI FINSA formed an Organizing Coalition and sought support from the Workers Support Center in Puebla (CAT, in its Spanish acronym). Coalition members have been harassed and fired for their organizing efforts, while CAT staff have been physically assaulted for their defence of the JCI workers.

Company-controlled "protection unions" linked to the Puebla State PRI government have held title to the collective agreement at the FINSA factory. Workers have never received a copy of the agreement or been consulted about whether they wanted to be represented by that union.

Links:

• For a background document on Johnson Controls and the workers' struggle at the FINSA plant, click here.
• In June, 2010, MSN joined a number of trade unions and NGOs in urging the company to resolve the outstanding issues at the FINSA plant.