Atento probed over union busting in Mexico
PACHUCA, MEXICO — Spanish business process outsourcing (BPO) provider Atento is being investigated by Mexican and American authorities over allegations of union busting at its call center in Pachuca, Mexico.
The probes follow a complaint filed last month by the Mexican telecom workers union Sindicato de Telefonistas de la República Mexicana (STRM) under the Rapid Response Labor Mechanism of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
The complaint alleges that Atento unlawfully dismissed workers for attempting to organize a union and interfered in union activities at its site.
Further investigation by the United States government found evidence supporting the allegations of violations of workers’ freedom of association rights at the facility, which serves Mexican bank BBVA. This prompted the request for Mexico to review the claims under USMCA labor provisions.
“The USMCA ensures that workers can freely select the union of their choice without compromising their job positions or work conditions,” said United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai.
The Mexican government now has 10 days to decide whether to investigate and 45 days to review evidence and determine any remedial actions. Potential USMCA sanctions could be imposed on Atento’s Pachuca site — which employs around 1,000 workers — if violations are confirmed.
Atento stated it will cooperate fully with Mexican authorities. The company operates over 100 call centers across Latin America, including two sites in Pachuca.
