print this page

In support of the Women of Steel International Solidarity Initiative, USW union sisters representing 6 Districts across the U.S. and Canada traveled to Tijuana, Mexico in April 2008 to participate in a joint Border Tour effort between the Sierra Club and USW Women of Steel to view first hand how NAFTA and other such trade agreements negatively affect workers and communities.  Tour participants were Sue Browne D2, Keli Vereb D10, Lynne Descary-Parker D6, Leslie McNabb D3, Kim Smith D9 and Michele Laghetto D1.

Women of Steel Group Picture

The following are excerpts from the report by tour participant, Sue Browne: 

Tour participants met in San Diego and walked across the border. There they learned that Mexican workers migrate to the Maquiladora region of Mexico with hopes of improving their situation but soon realized that they will not climb out of the poverty they were trying to escape. 

Pregnancy is frowned upon and in some cases, women workers are asked to show sanitary napkins on a monthly basis; and if they do become pregnant, they may have their work and/or shift changed and subjected to much verbal abuse.

Tour participants crossing into Chilpancingo

Company unions are most common and are created prior to anyone being hired in a new factory.  They are paid for by the company, do the employer’s bidding, and prevent the formation of legitimate unions.

While there may be a doctor on site, most workers will not visit because they could possibly lose up to a total day’s wages.  Many workers face kidney problems because they are not allowed to use the restroom unless a supervisor releases them; They are continuously exposed to dangerous toxins with warning labels written in English which they cannot read; Loss of fingers, hands, arms and eyes are daily occurrences throughout the factories.

Toxic and chemical waste dumps smelling of sewage surround the area where workers live in deplorable conditions.  Highly contaminated waterways filled with lead oxides, sulfites, heavy metals, sulfuric acid, and arsenic weave their way through communities poisoning everything and everyone in the path, including the only water source.

Workers reported that they would need five times their current wage to make what would be considered a decent living wage of approximately $192 U.S. a week (2000 pesos).

Out of the 80% deported from the U.S., only 15% attempt to return because it is too costly and dangerous.  It takes years of savings to reach the $3000 U.S. to cross the border.  Over 5,000 have lost their lives since 1997 in their attempt to achieve a better life.

“A plea was made for tour participants to return to our communities and tell the stories of what we saw in hopes that someday there would be better resolve,” reports Sue.  She also reports that one Mexican colleague stated, “Before the Maquiladoras arrived, we lived better, we were not contaminated, and we were respected.  Yes, we were poor, but we were much happier.”