Matamoros strikes highlight political battles over unions and labor reform

Workers are caught in the middle of a highly politicized battle among companies, unions and strike organizers.

In January, a wave of strikes broke out in and around Matamoros in the state of Tamaulipas. Tens of thousands of workers from at least 70 different plants have participated. After the first group of workers at about 40 maquilas successfully negotiated a raise in their salaries, additional workers at other maquilas as well as other nearby businesses who …