Congressman Napoléon Gómez Urrutia, who leads the National Union of Mining, Metallurgical, Steel and Similar Workers of the Mexican Republic, has proposed a radical solution to revitalize the troubled steel company AHMSA. He suggests creating a cooperative where workers would collectively own the company. This proposal was recently highlighted in the newspaper Tiempo de Monclova and reflects Gómez Urrutia's commitment to securing employment for workers affected by the ongoing crisis in the steel industry.
Three months ago, Gómez Urrutia presented his cooperative model to Mexico’s newly elected president, Claudia Sheinbaum. The congressman expressed hope that the government would find a viable solution for the workers who have faced unemployment since January of last year. His initiative comes as AHMSA grapples with severe financial difficulties, leading to widespread job losses and uncertainty in the sector.
The proposal for a worker cooperative is seen as a potential lifeline for AHMSA, which has been operating under an indefinite legal status since its restructuring process concluded on August 4 without resolution. The absence of a formal declaration of bankruptcy has left the company in a precarious position, hindering any sale of its assets to interested parties. With assets valued at $2.0 billion and total liabilities exceeding $5.87 billion, AHMSA's situation is critical.
Gómez Urrutia emphasized that a cooperative model could not only preserve jobs but also empower workers by giving them a stake in the company's future. This concept is gaining traction as the federal government studies the proposal among other potential solutions. If implemented, this model could transform AHMSA into a worker-driven entity, aligning the interests of employees with the operational success of the company.
The cooperative model has garnered interest for its potential to foster solidarity among workers while also addressing the pressing financial realities faced by AHMSA. The proposal aims to create a sustainable framework for managing the company, focusing on collaboration and shared responsibility. This could also set a precedent for other struggling industries in Mexico.
Despite the optimism surrounding the cooperative model, challenges remain. The financial liabilities that AHMSA faces are significant, and without effective management and a solid business plan, the success of such a cooperative initiative may be jeopardized. The company’s debts, including substantial tax credits, complicate the landscape for any potential investors or partners.
As discussions continue, the future of AHMSA remains uncertain. The cooperative proposal symbolizes a shift in thinking about how to approach company ownership and labor relations in Mexico’s steel sector. It represents a hopeful attempt to reconcile the needs of workers with the realities of a struggling industry, potentially paving the way for a new model of industrial cooperation in the country.
