Key Union Elections in Central America

Voting participation in union elections in Central America varies widely, from countries like Cuba, where unions are powerful, high-membership organizations, to regions such as Honduras, where less than 3% of the working population are union members.

One of the most notable movements in Central America occurred when migrants from El Salvador and Guatemala came together in the 1980s, creating worker’s rights campaigns in industries predominantly staffed by immigrant workers–stimulating significant change in sectors previously outside of the reach of major mainstream unions.

This and subsequent campaigns have helped boost membership and voting in union elections while also influencing the US labor movement.

Which Central American Union Elections Have Had the Greatest Impact?

The movement referenced above was prompted by the influx of families and workers relocating from less developed Central American countries, with around one million immigrants during a period when civil war and instability were widespread. However, this pivotal change in the position and credibility of unions was predated by action taken by the authorities in Washington in 1997, when the US Justice Department found that:

• Two business owners were convicted of labor violations and enslaving twenty-five individuals.
• Workers from Mexico and Guatemala were recruited, often at border crossings, and transported against their will to work sites.
• Pay rates and accommodation fell below legal minimum standards, resulting in lengthy prison sentences and considerable punitive fines.

The media coverage of this dramatic incident brought workers’ rights far greater attention. It was influenced by Salvadoran and Guatemalan citizens who had experienced community organizations during conflicts as part of the regional revolution in the 1980s.

The History of the Central American Common Market

Another meaningful moment in union activity in Central America occurred with the formation of the Central American Common Market (CACM). This body, formed by five countries, supports regional development through free-trade agreements.

While not strictly a union organization, the CACM has introduced new interregional trade tariffs to improve supply routes, smooth over gaps and variances between workers' average pay and working conditions, and oversees high-growth industries. A network of thirty-two integration offices and the development of a connected power supply system have further helped to unify each participating country and boosted economic integration and growth.

Understanding the Links Between Politics and Trade Unions in Central America

Many Central American countries have a long history of politics and unions, and connections between a union and a governing or political party are considered important resources for balancing the power of lower earners. Challenges such as economic change have meant that some unions with politically focused identities have since lost power or influence. They now need to work to foster trust, engagement, and participation from new and current members.

Rather than relying on outdated principles and affiliations, modern unions are working to reposition themselves and ensure their policies and campaigns align with the real-world expectations of their target memberships, recognizing changes in the economic, political, and social environment. Integrating modern, advanced, and credible voting processes, such as digital online voting systems through platforms like ElectionBuddy, is often a priority for unions stepping away from their previous personas and redirecting their work to better meet the needs of present-day workforces.