Comité Fronterizo
de Obrer@s
CFO

For the labor rights and all human rights of the maquiladora workers

Alcoa 2006: more readjustments, more instability

Alcoa: a system that punishes, not rewards

Production line workers are being offered the position of "coordinators". Mechanics work at high responsibility jobs even though they are formally classified as operators. But those Alcoa workers in Piedras Negras earn wages below their classification. In addition, it is almost impossible for them to get a promotion to formalize their actual jobs. The merit-based promotion system of the company is based on points that are impossible to keep. The workers can easily lose those points if they need to visit the doctor. (Noviembre 2006).

Julia Quiñonez speaks out before Alcoa's shareholders and Alain Belda responded

Invited by the Steelworkers Union (USW) District 7, Julia Quiñonez took the floor during the Q&A session at Alcoa's Annual Shareholders Meeting. The Chairman and CEO of Alcoa, Alain Belda, responded to Julia's comments by saying: " We have nothing against unions. We will not do anything against unionization." (April 24,2006)

Macoelmex 2006: Alcoa reduce its presence in Piedras Negras

In its obsessive drive to reduce costs, Alcoa has significantly cut back its presence in Piedras Negras, Coahuila transferring production lines to Monterrey, Mexico; and Honduras. The drastic restructuring of Macoelmex included the sale of its Subaru plant. At the same time, Alcoa continues attacking Macoelmex union contract offering temporary contracts, renewable every two months. (April 19, 2006)

Alcoa 2006 in Ciudad Acuña, the Free-Trade Union Land

As a response for the dissapearance of the senority promotion system, the rank and file has responded by showing to the new hires photocopies of the seniority system/chart they had a few years ago. The chart demonstrates how the workers were able to be promoted. Today that motivation does not exist anymore. (April 19, 2006)

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Comité Fronterizo de Obrer@s (CFO)
Monterrey #1103, Col. Las Fuentes
Piedras Negras, Coahuila
C.P. 26010, México