WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the successful resolution of a course of remediation addressing alleged labor rights violations at the RV Fresh processing facility in Michoacan, Mexico, under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement Rapid Response Labor Mechanism. The Secretary of Labor and U.S. Trade Representative co-chair the Interagency Labor Committee.
After U.S. officials requested Mexico review the matter in February 2024, the two governments negotiated a course of remediation in April 2024. RV Fresh has responded by distributing a neutrality statement and guidelines, implementing a zero-tolerance policy against employer interference in union affairs and by conducting comprehensive training for all personnel. The company has also posted information in accessible areas and on its website about filing complaints, distributed the collective bargaining agreement to workers and collaborated with the International Labor Organization to provide worker training.
“The U.S. and Mexican governments have again collaborated to establish a robust remediation plan to ensure that workers can exercise their rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining,” said Deputy Undersecretary for International Labor Affairs Thea Lee. “This collaboration under the USMCA’s Rapid Response Labor Mechanism has empowered workers at RV Fresh with vital information about their workplace rights, and the company has made its neutrality stance clear and developed comprehensive guidelines and training materials. These efforts underscore the company’s commitment to fostering an equitable working environment for its employees.”
“Today’s resolution is yet another example of the RRM’s significant contribution toward upholding workers’ rights and securing remedies for workers when their rights are violated,” said Ambassador Katherine Tai. “We commend the Government of Mexico for their efforts to address the denials of rights that occurred. We consider the actions taken to fulfill this course of remediation a way forward for workers at the facility to be able to fully exercise their freedom of association and collective bargaining rights.”
Operating since 2021, RV Fresh in Michoacan employs more than 350 unionized workers who manufacture cold-packed GuacON! brand guacamole and salsa for export to the U.S., Canada and Europe.
The USMCA Rapid Response Labor Mechanism allows the U.S. to take enforcement action based on the labor situation at an individual factory in Mexico if such facility fails to comply with domestic freedom of association and collective bargaining laws.
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