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“A fair union election under these circumstances is almost impossible and that is why UNI is calling on Atento parent company Telefonica, which has signed a global agreement with UNI, to ensure that Atento management will not interfere with the election tomorrow,” said Head of UNI ICTS Marcus Courtney.



Courtney sent a letter to Telefonica’s Director of Human Resources Oscar Maraver calling on him to demand Atento Mexico management immediately negotiate with STRM for a free and fair election.



Last week, when a union election was scheduled, Atento Mexico workers were physically blocked from voting at the Labour Board by the protection union and hired thugs. When the workers and STRM supporters managed to make their way to the door, the Labour Board shut down the election.



International observers from UNI and other trade unions reported many other instances of voting interference, including blocking workers from leaving their work sites to go vote and threats from management that workers would be terminated if they voted for the union.



UNI will be watching the election closely and working with the STRM to document all instances of company interference.