How “Partnership” Weakens Solidarity: C olombian GM Workers and the Limits of UAW Internationalism

Abstract

This article examines the ongoingU.S. solidarity campaign with theAssociation ofInjuredWorkers andEx‐Workers ofGeneralMotorsColmotores (ASOTRECOL), workers fired from theGMplant inBogotá,Colombia, after suffering injuries on the assembly line. After reviewing some of the factors that facilitated the mobilization of community and rank‐and‐file activists, we discuss the refusal of theUnitedAutoWorkers (UAW) union leadership to support the campaign. While theUAWhas sometimes engaged in solidarity campaigns with foreign workers, it has not supportedASOTRECOL. We argue that the primary reason is that doing so might jeopardize whatUAWleaders consider to be their positive relationship withGeneralMotors.U.S. activists' expectation that theUAWwould support the cause strongly influenced their strategic orientation early on, further hindering the chances of success. We suggest that solidarity activists should take unions' bargaining relationships into account when devising strategy.

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