CFE workers in Salamanca dispute relocation process amid plant closures

Workers at the Salamanca Thermoelectric Plant in Mexico are disputing a labor reorganization process following the scheduled permanent closure of units 3 and 4. Approximately 88 employees recently protested at the facility, alleging that the company’s actions constitute unjustified dismissal and violate Clause 46 of their Collective Bargaining Agreement. Some workers, some with up to 25 years of seniority, reported being verbally ordered not to enter the premises.

The Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) stated that the personnel movement is a response to the end of the useful life of conventional generation units and the transition to a Combined Cycle project. The company maintains that the reorganization is administrative and not intended to affect workers, noting that communication channels remained open during the protests.

In response to the unrest, the SUTERM union (Section 64) announced that 240 unionized positions will be relocated rather than liquidated. According to a bilateral agreement between CFE and SUTERM, the transition plan aims to respect seniority, offer early retirement for eligible staff, and provide immediate salary improvements in new assignments. The union emphasized that the priority is to ensure labor stability during the operational reduction of the plant.