IV. Secretariat Activities

A. Inaugural Ceremonies

The Secretariat of the Commission for Labor Cooperation officially opened its doors in downtown Dallas, Texas, U.S.A., on September 27, 1995. The event was attended by more than 150 public officials, diplomats, trade union officials, employer representatives and other visitors, including four members of the Mexican Congress. The three Council Designees, acting as trinational co-hosts, spoke briefly about the significance of the Commission and Secretariat. Messages of welcome were read on behalf of Texas Governor George W. Bush and two members of the U.S. Congress representing Dallas: Eddie Bernice Johnson and Jack Bryant. Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk officially welcomed the Secretariat to his city during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. John S. McKennirey (Canada), the first Executive Director of the Secretariat, served as master of ceremonies and welcomed all to this historic beginning for North American labor cooperation.

 The inauguration had been preceded by months of intense preparations to create a functioning international Secretariat from what until then was still just a concept on paper. In April 1995, Mr. McKennirey began his appointment as Executive Director of the Secretariat. The Secretariat began operating in temporary quarters in May with just two employees, until by mid September the permanent office space was designed and made ready. By the inauguration date the Secretariat was functional and able to perform the substantive tasks for which it was created. 

B. Staffing 

The NAALC provides that the Secretariat shall be headed by an Executive Director, chosen for a three-year term (with possibility of one three-year renewal). The Executive Director appoints and supervises the Secretariat staff, taking into account lists of candidates prepared by the Parties. The number of staff positions is initially set at 15, with equitable proportions of the professional staff coming from each country. 

By the year's end, the professional staff consisted of:

John S. McKennirey (Canada)
Executive Director

M. Elena Alcaraz (Mexico)
Director, Finance and Administration

Lance Compa (USA)
Director, Labor Law and Economics Research

Eric Griego (USA)
International Labor Advisor 

Alfredo Hernandez (Mexico)
International Cooperative Activities Coordinator 

Dr. Leoncio Lara (Mexico)
Senior Legal Counsel 

Dalil Maschino (Canada)
Senior Economist 

Marcelle Saint-Arnaud (Canada)
Research Documentation Coordinator 

Dolores Simms (USA)
Financial Officer 

Joanne Steinberg (Canada)
International Labor Advisor 

Marķa Elena Vicario (Mexico)
Senior Economist 

John W. Vincent (USA)
Manager of Operations 

C. Work Plan

Since its official opening in September 1995, the Secretariat has undertaken significant research work, in addition to resolving various administrative issues. It is conducting three studies related to labor matters in North America listed below, and is providing support to a trinational working group on rules of procedure necessary for the establishment and functioning of Evaluation Committees of Experts (ECEs). 

Comparative Labor Law Study

The first study undertaken by the Secretariat under its 1995 work plan was a comparative study of labor law and practice in the three NAFTA countries. The study is structured according to the eleven Labor Principles of the NAALC, which define the scope of labor law under the NAALC. Each principle is being analyzed using the six obligations contained in Part II of the NAALC. While the study seeks to summarize labor laws and labor standards of the three NAFTA countries, it will also address the application and enforcement of those laws. The study will be completed in late 1996. 

Comparative Labor Market Study

A second study initiated in 1995 examines key labor market themes and indicators in a comparative context. A detailed description of the labor market in each country over the past decade and projected future growth forms the main body of the profile. Wherever possible, information by age, gender and education level is included. Efforts are being made to provide information which goes beyond general statistics, such as underemployment, non-standard work, the informal economy, the rural sector (e.g. agricultural employment), the distribution of low wage/low skill and high wage/high skill jobs, dual income families, the working poor, and hours of work and working time arrangements. 

Exact comparability of this information is not always possible as a result of different statistical approaches and data availability among the countries.

The study will be completed in late 1996. 

Best Practices 

A third report initiated in 1995 focuses on advanced practices in the manufacturing sector, not just in employee relations but in the production process itself, in firms that respect labor laws, labor standards and the role of trade unions. Its purpose is to provide concrete examples of highly competitive firms, operating in more than one NAFTA country, that combine good labor practices with excellence in competitiveness. 

The first part of the study consists of an overview of the economic characteristics of the industrial sector, as well as the practices which characterize "standard" industrial relations, and workplace organization in the sector. The second part of the study will focus on advanced practices of individual companies, including the mechanisms for consulting employees, the methods of communication, worker training, and quality work groups. 

This study is a longer-term project with publication not expected until early 1997. <

ECE Rules

As part of the 1995 work plan, the Secretariat provides support to the work group from the three countries and coordinates the drafting of rules of procedure and a code of conduct for Evaluation Committees of Experts (ECEs). The NAALC calls for the Council to develop rules which will provide a framework for the work of ECEs when established to conduct independent trinational analysis of the administration of labor laws in the three NAFTA countries.

Publications

In addition to the three major studies undertaken in 1995, the Secretariat also developed two smaller publications. The first publication is a brochure that explains the NAALC and the institutions and processes it creates. The second is a periodic bulletin which will contain news about the work of the Commission, including cooperative activities, conferences, labor market indicators and ongoing projects and studies. Both of these publications are available from the Secretariat in English, French and Spanish.