MadoBox Denies Layoffs Are Tied to Workers’ Union Affiliation, Digi Mart USA News (Michoacán, Mexico): MadoBox, a family-owned company in Michoacán that manufactures cardboard boxes for avocado exports, said staff cuts at its plant were caused by economic and seasonal factors, not by workers’ union affiliation.
The company made its position public after the United States government asked Mexico to review the case under Annex 31-A of the USMCA. MadoBox explained that its operations adjust every year at the close of the harvest season, and that this year the seasonal decline coincided with a crisis in avocado exports that affected its revenue.
The dismissals were closed with the corresponding final settlements and were registered with the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS).
Collective contract with a COR-affiliated union
MadoBox noted that it received a strike notice related to a collective labor contract sought by the Union of Commercial and Industrial Workers in the State of Michoacán, which is affiliated with the COR. The union had previously obtained from the Federal Center for Labor Conciliation and Registration a certificate of representativeness, CFCRL-CONSTANCIA-20260316-17188-1755, showing it represented at least 30 percent of the workers, in accordance with Article 390 Bis of the Federal Labor Law.
The contract was approved by the Second Labor Judge of the Morelia Region on July 16, 2026, within strike proceeding 300/2026, with the participation of the Labor Conciliation Center of the State of Michoacán.
USMCA review without tariff effects
Regarding the complaint filed in the United States, the company clarified that the review requested under Annex 31-A of the USMCA is a fact-finding stage and not a final ruling or confirmation of any irregularity. Washington informed the company that the determination carries no commercial or tariff consequences, so operations and customer deliveries continue normally.
Cooperation with the U.S. Labor Attaché
MadoBox said it has provided the information and documentation requested by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Labor Attaché since the first contact and remains available to cooperate with the governments of both countries during the procedure.
The company reiterated its commitment to freedom of association, collective bargaining and Mexican labor law.
