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The IAM Midwest Territory and Western Territory
Visit the Tijuana Maquiladoras

Alex M. Bay, GVP and Lee Pearson, GVP headed a trip to the Maquiladoras in Tijuana, Mexico on Monday, February 19, 2001. The Grand Lodge Staff from both IAM Territories toured the part of Tijuana where there are several industrial parks.


GVP Alex M. Bay & the IAM Midwest Territory Staff

"NIGHTMARE OF NAFTA"

The tour started down roads in terrible condition adjacent to new industrial parks. Teenagers and young adults were lined up waiting to apply for jobs outside on the streets.

Then there was the Metales y Derivados environmental site. This is the abandon site of an American "battery" manufacturer. It is a horrible toxic waste disaster. Tons of lead and batteries lie all over the ground. Lead that was covered by tarpaulins now blows in the wind and runs off the hill every time it rains. Signs now warn people that walk thru this area on the way to work everyday about the dangers of the site.

Moving farther along down the hill, the tour saw large culverts coming out of the side of the hill. At night, raw sewage and toxic waste pours down shallow ditches and flows into the streets. Eventually finding it's way to the river below.

What is extremely shocking is to find adults, small children and infants living in hand made shacks next to a toxic waste nightmare at the bottom of the hill.

Squatter settlement at the bottom of the hill
A child playing in toxic runoff
It certainly doesn't benefit the impoverished people working in the Maquiladoras. There is a 100% turn over in most of the factories in the Maquiladora region. People find out they can't work for $1.25 an hour or about $35 to $50 per week. The average age of the workforce is 19 years of age and it isn't uncommon to see 14, 15, and 16-year-old children working in these factories hoping to support their families living in poverty. Most workers in the Maquiladoras have a 6th grade education.

One shocking benefit that companies tout is "free pregnancy testing." This amounts to the lowest form of harassment and discrimination against any woman that is pregnant. Pregnant women are not allowed to work in these factories and if they become pregnant they are terminated.

You can't get sick working in these factories either. For each day you miss due to illness or any other reason, the company takes 3 days pay away as a penalty for missing work.

NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) has allowed multinational corporations to exploit workers in Mexico and reap huge profits without any commitment to clean up toxic wastes or to protect the health of citizens in the Maquiladoras.

A corrupt government has protected the employer's rights and there is no enforcement of environmental protection.

FOR MORE OF THIS ARTICLE ON THE
 "NIGHTMARE OF NAFTA" 
AND ADDITIONAL PHOTOS VISIT http://www.goiam.org/territories.asp?=29
home page and click on "IAM Midwest & Western Territory Staff visit the Tijuana, Mexico Maquiladora-Feb. 19, 2001"

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE MAQUILADORA
CHECK OUT THE MAQUILA SOLIDARITY NETWORK

 

Home // About Lodge 1426 // Meet the E-Board // Notable Members of Lodge 1426 
 News From the I.P. // Shops Under IAM Contract // Shop Stewards // Delegate Reports & Events 
Union Links  // News from imail, Work in Progress, America at Work, Misc.  // Political Action  
  IAM History // Join the IAM // Union Plus Benefits // IAM Pension // Women's Dept. // Toon Ville   
Guide Dogs of America // Help for Stewards //  IAM Journal // Have You Heard // International Presidents  
General Secretary Treasurers // North West Iowa Labor Council // Iowa Federation of Labor News //  Noteworthy Men & Women 
News From Corporate America // Winpisinger Center // Speak Out! Be Heard! // Health Issues 
Concerns from Working Men & Women // News for Retired Members


Comments or Suggestions? E-mail the Communications Officer
of Siouxland Lodge 1426 IAMAW
Greg Enright