Fiesta Auto Workers in Mexico --

[parlokin]

Not sure if this thread will be in the right place.

The more I consider buying my first car, the more things to consider arise. Well in that vein: I am not against globalization per se, but I am against bad globalization. I don't want to support anything immoral with my money, and they say you can vote with your wallet. So... Does anyone know if Ford's auto workers in Mexico are paid a decent, at least living wage? I know some of the other import assembly line workers are not paid well at all. I have decided I simply won't support this kind of globalization. It's one thing to buy a bag of coffee that isn't fair trade, but it's a whole different ballgame when you shell out thousands in support of a system that is basically unfair. I really hope Ford pays its workers well. I haven't seen this discussed anywhere in the forums, so I thought I'd ask. I know some people work for Ford in here, so maybe they can answer. I'm sure others have considered this question too.

[f91]

God bless you for thinking about others. I have to admit that I never once considered it. I would like to think that since it's a global Company with high standards to adhere to, that Ford does right by its Mexican workers. Then again, you can't be sure.

[Norm201]

I suspect they are treated fairly ell. One must be well qualified and smart to be able to work in today's automated auto factory. I think anybody working at Ford Mexico is doing all right.

[dan-c]

As one that works as an OEM supplier to Ford and other makers that use wire harnesses I can say that they aren't paid a great living wage as we would like to think in Mexico (we have 10 plants in MX). I think around $2.00/hr is about average. They do receive rides to work and home if needed, free medical care, two hot meals per day and some other bennies that don't amount to a whole lot. The Mexican Govt. 'makes' the Maquiladoras take care of the people if they are laid off etc, dependant on the amount of time they work their, etc.

I can say that the main difference is expectations. We in the US expect a much higher (perceived) quality of life than the Mexicans do. There is a small middle class. They have virtually no exports other than oil and minerals that bring in significant revenue and let's not forget the corruption and the cartels. In otherwords they do not have a self sustaining economy based on manufacturing products made and used in Mexico.

The average Mexican does not own a washer and dryer, a 27 ft/cu refrigerator, huge TVs and the like but that is ok with them. There are many small neighborhood markets that cater to the neighborhood with the staples, chicken, beef, tortillas, frijoles etc. Most Mexicans I know shop several times per week at these Tiendas. No need for refrigerators (big ones). Wash is many times hand done by the neighborhood washer lady and line dried.

Mainly what I'm saying is their overhead to live is MUCH less that ours and mostly unregulated. Maquila jobs are highly coveted and per capita few and far between.

But, I think most of the Mexicans are reasonably happy on the whole, just live lives so different than ours that we don't understand how they can live 'that way'. Simplicity, low overhead and thankfulness for what they do have.

Sorry for the rambling. I intend to expat and retire well away from the Gringo havens in the MX in about 10 years and have travelled and researched a lot about our lovely neighbors to the south.

[parlokin]

That is incredibly disappointing to hear. I know Mexicans live different lives, but there's really no excuse for perpetuating this low-pay, low-value culture. The corruption, drug gang and machismo culture is mostly due to the impoverished conditions. I've had friends that lived in Mexico for years, and of course they found extremely happy people living with very little. The same is true in America. But that is no reason to support companies shipping jobs overseas and paying so little. Ford has also closed plants in America in order to outsource these jobs. No wonder. They're paying 100%+ less for the same job. I may be removing the Fiesta from my short list. So disappointing.

[Captainmorbid]

There is some ugliness close to the border with the US and the worst of it is in Ciudad Juarez. The book 'Murder City' by Charles Bowden is a grim read, and it has some relevance towards some auto manufacturers in it's general vicinity, but no ford manufacturing plants. There is an engine assembly facility in Chihuahua the state capital, which is considered the safest city in Latin America(according to wikipedia).

The other Mexican ford facility (where the fiesta is assembled) is Cuautitlan Izcalli in central Mx, far from the cartel drug wars.

I did research on your very connundrum when I was deciding for myself. I drew much the same conclusions as Dan, but without any first hand experience. There are ugly ramifications to globalization, but so do all capitalist market based economic systems. As does all the other types of markets for that matter...

[Captainmorbid]

If only the global market was as black and white as we would like them to be. We (Canada) have been exporting jobs to the US for decades. I don't personally have a problem with it, but only you can decide what's right for yourself. The Chevy Sonic is assembled in the US from parts sourced globally, you might want to test drive one. If it eases your concern. But there really is no escaping globalization.

[dan-c]

Originally Posted by parlokin

That is incredibly disappointing to hear. I know Mexicans live different lives, but there's really no excuse for perpetuating this low-pay, low-value culture. The corruption, drug gang and machismo culture is mostly due to the impoverished conditions. I've had friends that lived in Mexico for years, and of course they found extremely happy people living with very little. The same is true in America. But that is no reason to support companies shipping jobs overseas and paying so little. Ford has also closed plants in America in order to outsource these jobs. No wonder. They're paying 100%+ less for the same job. I may be removing the Fiesta from my short list. So disappointing.

It has been discussed for years that the maquila's dramatically increase the rate of pay to the Mexicans. The issue is it would destroy the economy. Yeah, destroy it. There would be more importing of outside goods than ever and wouldn't necessarily increase the middle class (EVERY nation needs middle class to support itself). While I hate WWII it made the middle class in the US (not America as Mexicans and Canadians are as American as anyone in the US) as we had industry poised and ready to convert to a peace time economy. It was all about what could you make that people wanted because they had the money to do so.
The issue is that they do not have the infrastructure to compete in a global economy. Mexico has never been an industrialized nation.
And don't feel bad for them, they're not children that don't know the economics of the world around them. They are (mostly) content with their way of life. And things are changing there, slowly but they are changing.

[Flaco]

I to work for an OEM and Tier 1 and 2 supplier to the automotive industry. I accually mold parts for the Fiesta everyday (handsown). My company also has a plant in Monterrey Mex. and pays quite a bit more in salary than $ 2 per hour. From my experiance in Mexico the middle class is much bigger than we are lead to believe here in the states ! Example my wife a Mexican citizen owns outright a large 3 bedroom home, as well as all the other things we take for granted here in the US. As well as a 2004 5 speed Fiesta hatch thats paid for. She is univeristy educatied, also there are 3 doctors in her immidate family as well as 2 lawyers and a CPA. The young folks these days have computers and mobile phones, some have cars ! Now mind you thats not everyone or the norm, but I sure got my eyes opened to some things in my travels in Mexico !! If your willing to work and study you've got a good chance, Mexico is a changing, they just need to get rid of the cartels and the moffia ! And the folks that are using the drugs need to stop to !!!

[dan-c]

Monterrey is one of the most progressive cities in all of Mexico. I agree with all you said Flaco