Thomas Friedman, author of The Lexus and the Olive Tree and The World is Flat is a huge fan of globalization.  Other writers, like Joseph Stiglitz (Globalization and its Discontents) and Amy Chua (World on Fire) are more cautious in their view that expanding global corporate growth and global market economics that pushes poor countries into competition with wealthier countries is always a good thing.   Mexico has been participating in the global economy known as the maquiladora industries since at least 1965. Under President Clinton the signing of NAFTA birthed hundreds more factories but workers at the border have complained that this explosive growth of the industry reduced the quality of their lives and intensified the examples of exploitative conditions for workers in the workplace and in their communities.   The Delegations bring to life the struggles of the workers to create lives of dignity despite the harshness of their lives as workers in the maquiladeoras and confirm the power of education in helping workers make some abusive employers accountable under the rule of law.

Q - What is a delegation to the border?

A - An opportunity to be guided into Mexico by experienced travelers who are in a solidarity relationship with a non-governmental organization (NGO) (the CFO) that is dedicated to the task of empowering workers in the maquiladoras by introducing to the concept of enforceable rights under the Mexican labor law and instilling confidence in their ability to defend themselves against abusive working conditions by supporting them in grievance proceedings or teaching them through role-play  how to respond to particular problems that arise at the work site.

DEPARTING FROM AUSTIN, TEXAS AND CROSSING INTO MEXICO

Because of post-9-11 tightening of restrictions at the international border, attendees must agree to travel only with the group and defer to suggestions by the organizers and leaders about demeanor at any checkpoint. Attendees must also attend an orientation and mini-seminar on Mexico's Global Economy the day prior to crossing into Mexico in Austin, Texas, always a Thursday.  This means that attendees must arrange to leave Chicago in time to attend a day long class on globalization of the economy that precedes the actual departure from Austin into Mexico (thursday) and be prepared to leave early Friday a.m. from a designated place in a van with other delegates.   Returns to Chicago must be made for the Monday following the delegation.  The drive back from Mexico is long because of lengthy delays at the border checkpoint imposed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  Therefore delegates cannot be guaranteed a return in enough time to catch a Sunday night flight to Chicago.

Department of Homeland Security restrictions have tightened in recent years.  It is recommended that all travelers have and carry a passport in addition to their other photo I.D.s. .

THE PURPOSE OF THE DELEGATION EXPERIENCE - LEARNING ABOUT GLOBALIZATION BY MEETING THE WORKERS.

In the late nineties and 2000 a group of residents, students, labor organizers, teachers and human rights activists in the Austin, Texas area were introduced to a delegation of workers from Mexico who came to offer their stories and experiences about what it is like to be a worker in the global economy; that is, to work for a factory that is one of thousands that are owned and operated by subsidiaries of major multinational corporations (MNCs) bearing the names of familiar companies to U.S. consumers (e.g., Sony, Honeywell, GE, Alcoa, GM, Matel Toys).

The workers, mostly women who were volunteers for the COMITE FRONTERIZO DE OBRERAS (CFO) (trans: Committee of Women Border Workers), an organization formed with the help of the Quaker group American Friends Service Committee, told stories that triggered interest, compassion and a desire to expand awareness by other U.S. consumers. They talked about having to work in jobs for barely more than $30 dollars per week, approximately 10-12 hours per day, sometimes in environments polluted with toxic materials and often also enduring sexual harassment and other forms of systemic sex discrimination. They told of chronic illnesses created by exposure to dangerous chemicals, fumes and not being provided with adequate safety gear. But they also told of some successes in getting the labor laws of their country enforced in their struggles for justice in the factories. They asked only for others in the U.S. to listen, learn and support their cause.

Following their visit the Austin residents decided they wanted to visit the workers in their hometowns and to learn more. The people who went on that delegation formed Austin Tan Cerca de la Frontera (So Close to the Border) and have been taking U.S. residents 3-4 times per year since to meet CFO volunteers in several border towns that have large numbers of maquiladoras.

The CFO is not a labor union. It is a workers' group that is totally volunteer except for a few paid staff. Many have had limited opportunities for education but have overcome these issues and learned how to take actions completely grounded in the legitimate use and interpretation of the labor laws of their country. They have learned how to read and interpret their labor laws and how to teach others about actions they can take to protect themselves, their jobs, their health and their communities.

The volunteer members of the CFO who will host the delegation activities in Nuevo Laredo will offer their stories and their experiences and answer questions. They freely give of their very limited downtime (many work six days per week and never get a vacation). In return they ask for your patience and your promise to send them a copy of any writings, photographs or other educational materials or newspaper articles you may produce as a result of attending the delegation. All they want is their stories told to others.

A FURTHER NOTE ON ACCOMMODATIONS AND TRAVEL

Housing before and after the delegation in Austin may be available for a few people in the homes of friends of WOB and ATCF.

A NOTE ON MEALS DURING A DELEGATION

Usually, attendees arrange their own breakfast and bring along snacks for the ride. A lunch break is taken at a comfortable park on the ride down to the border. On the drive back on Sunday, a stop is usually made at a grocery store so that folks can buy more snacks for the drive back to Austin.

When in Mexico, an effort is made to provide group meals in comfortable restaurants in Nuevo Laredo. Sometimes a group of workers arrange for a group meal in the home of a worker.
Applicants with serious dietary restrictions should prepare in advance with snacks as the food offered in workers' homes is often simple and may not satisfy everyone's appetite.

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