Regional Confederation of Mexican Workers
Encyclopedia
The Confederación Regional Obrera Mexicana (CROM) (Spanish
: "Regional Confederation of Mexican Workers") is a federation of labor unions
in Mexico
.
It was founded in Saltillo
in 1918 at a congress of labor delegates called by Mexican President Venustiano Carranza
. The federation, of which Luis Napoleón Morones
was a major leader, marked a departure from the traditionally anarchist stance of Mexican labor to a nationalist position.
From its inception, the CROM was controlled by a small group of union leaders called Grupo Acción ("Action Group") who supported the post-revolutionary
government
.
After supporting President Carranza, the CROM was a key base of support for two of his successors, Álvaro Obregón
and Plutarco Elías Calles
. The political vehicle of the federation was the Mexican Labor Party. Under Obregón, the labor movement was co-opted as its leaders were appointed to posts within the government. By the end of Obregón's term, labor had abandoned its goal of destroying capital in favor of establishing a balance between capital and labor that would benefit workers. Labor leaders defended the government's right, established in Article 123 of the Constitution of 1917, to arbitrate labor disputes, since they felt that their interests were represented in the government.
Radical elements of the labor movement, horrified by the cooption, formed their own federation, the Confederación General de Trabajadores
(CGT), in 1921. The result of the split was disorientation within the movement, and workers became disillusioned with both the CROM and the CGT. Nonetheless, workers won some rights, albeit at a gradual pace that did threatened neither the revolutionary government nor the growth of capitalism.
In 1921, in a prelude to the Cristero War
, the Mexican Catholic Church
declared membership in the CROM a mortal sin. The proclamation failed to deter Mexicans from joining the federation or participating in its street demonstrations.
Under Calles, the government gained even greater control over the CROM through its grip over Grupo Acción. The CROM essentially monopolized union membership, claiming over one million workers and five hundred organized peasants among its members. In reality, there were only about twenty thousand dues-paying members. Calles wielded influence over the CROM through Morones, whom he appointed the Minister
of commerce and industry
.
By 1928, however, Calles had become distrustful of Morones, who had presidential ambitions. He was also wary of labor's socialist interpretation of the Revolution. He broke the CROM's power by ordering the federal arbitrating bureaucracies to declare all CROM strikes
illegal.
The CROM's leadership had become so corrupt that it had lost its influence with the rank-and-file, and was thus unable to organize action in its favor.
Calles' successor, Emilio Portes Gil
, began removing CROM officials from government positions. Vicente Lombardo Toledano, a dissident in the CROM, organized a faction called "Purified CROM" that left the federation in 1932, leaving the CROM to represent only a few unions in the textile industry. The Purified CROM became the Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM) in 1936, allying with the populist
President Lázaro Cárdenas
and the ruling Party of the Mexican Revolution. In the following years, the CTM eclipsed the CROM.
The CROM continues to exist, but it is only the third largest labor federation in Mexico.
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
: "Regional Confederation of Mexican Workers") is a federation of labor unions
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
It was founded in Saltillo
Saltillo
Saltillo is the capital city of the northeastern Mexican state of Coahuila and the municipal seat of the municipality of the same name. The city is located about 400 km south of the U.S. state of Texas, and 90 km west of Monterrey, Nuevo León....
in 1918 at a congress of labor delegates called by Mexican President Venustiano Carranza
Venustiano Carranza
Venustiano Carranza de la Garza, was one of the leaders of the Mexican Revolution. He ultimately became President of Mexico following the overthrow of the dictatorial Huerta regime in the summer of 1914 and during his administration the current constitution of Mexico was drafted...
. The federation, of which Luis Napoleón Morones
Luis Napoleón Morones
Luis Napoleón Morones was a Mexican union boss who served as secretary general of the Regional Confederation of Mexican Workers and as secretary of economy under President Plutarco Elías Calles....
was a major leader, marked a departure from the traditionally anarchist stance of Mexican labor to a nationalist position.
From its inception, the CROM was controlled by a small group of union leaders called Grupo Acción ("Action Group") who supported the post-revolutionary
Mexican Revolution
The Mexican Revolution was a major armed struggle that started in 1910, with an uprising led by Francisco I. Madero against longtime autocrat Porfirio Díaz. The Revolution was characterized by several socialist, liberal, anarchist, populist, and agrarianist movements. Over time the Revolution...
government
Politics of Mexico
The politics of Mexico take place in a framework of a federal presidential representative democratic republic whose government is based on a congressional system, whereby the president of Mexico is both head of state and head of government, and of a multi-party system...
.
After supporting President Carranza, the CROM was a key base of support for two of his successors, Álvaro Obregón
Álvaro Obregón
General Álvaro Obregón Salido was the President of Mexico from 1920 to 1924. He was assassinated in 1928, shortly after winning election to another presidential term....
and Plutarco Elías Calles
Plutarco Elías Calles
Plutarco Elías Calles was a Mexican general and politician. He was president of Mexico from 1924 to 1928, but he continued to be the de facto ruler from 1928–1935, a period known as the maximato...
. The political vehicle of the federation was the Mexican Labor Party. Under Obregón, the labor movement was co-opted as its leaders were appointed to posts within the government. By the end of Obregón's term, labor had abandoned its goal of destroying capital in favor of establishing a balance between capital and labor that would benefit workers. Labor leaders defended the government's right, established in Article 123 of the Constitution of 1917, to arbitrate labor disputes, since they felt that their interests were represented in the government.
Radical elements of the labor movement, horrified by the cooption, formed their own federation, the Confederación General de Trabajadores
General Confederation of Workers (Mexico)
The Confederación General de Trabajadores is a federation of labor unions in Mexico. It was founded in February 1921 by anarchists, syndicalists and others on the far left who opposed the more moderate, pro-government Confederación Regional Obrera Mexicana...
(CGT), in 1921. The result of the split was disorientation within the movement, and workers became disillusioned with both the CROM and the CGT. Nonetheless, workers won some rights, albeit at a gradual pace that did threatened neither the revolutionary government nor the growth of capitalism.
In 1921, in a prelude to the Cristero War
Cristero War
The Cristero War of 1926 to 1929 was an uprising and counter-revolution against the Mexican government in power at that time. The rebellion was set off by the strict enforcement of the anti-clerical provisions of the Mexican Constitution of 1917 and the expansion of further anti-clerical laws...
, the Mexican Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
declared membership in the CROM a mortal sin. The proclamation failed to deter Mexicans from joining the federation or participating in its street demonstrations.
Under Calles, the government gained even greater control over the CROM through its grip over Grupo Acción. The CROM essentially monopolized union membership, claiming over one million workers and five hundred organized peasants among its members. In reality, there were only about twenty thousand dues-paying members. Calles wielded influence over the CROM through Morones, whom he appointed the Minister
Mexican Executive Cabinet
The cabinet of Mexico is the Executive Cabinet and is a part of the executive branch of the Mexican government. It consists of eighteen Secretaries of State, the head of the federal executive legal office and the Attorney General....
of commerce and industry
Secretary of Economy (Mexico)
In Mexico, the Secretariat of Economy is the government department in charge of economic affairs...
.
By 1928, however, Calles had become distrustful of Morones, who had presidential ambitions. He was also wary of labor's socialist interpretation of the Revolution. He broke the CROM's power by ordering the federal arbitrating bureaucracies to declare all CROM strikes
Strike action
Strike action, also called labour strike, on strike, greve , or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became...
illegal.
The CROM's leadership had become so corrupt that it had lost its influence with the rank-and-file, and was thus unable to organize action in its favor.
Calles' successor, Emilio Portes Gil
Emilio Portes Gil
Emilio Cándido Portes Gil was President of Mexico from 1928 to 1930.-Biography:Portes Gil was born in Ciudad Victoria, the capital of the state of Tamaulipas in northeast Mexico....
, began removing CROM officials from government positions. Vicente Lombardo Toledano, a dissident in the CROM, organized a faction called "Purified CROM" that left the federation in 1932, leaving the CROM to represent only a few unions in the textile industry. The Purified CROM became the Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM) in 1936, allying with the populist
Populism
Populism can be defined as an ideology, political philosophy, or type of discourse. Generally, a common theme compares "the people" against "the elite", and urges social and political system changes. It can also be defined as a rhetorical style employed by members of various political or social...
President Lázaro Cárdenas
Lázaro Cárdenas
Lázaro Cárdenas del Río was President of Mexico from 1934 to 1940.-Early life:Lázaro Cárdenas was born on May 21, 1895 in a lower-middle class family in the village of Jiquilpan, Michoacán. He supported his family from age 16 after the death of his father...
and the ruling Party of the Mexican Revolution. In the following years, the CTM eclipsed the CROM.
The CROM continues to exist, but it is only the third largest labor federation in Mexico.
Further reading
- Raúl Trejo Delarbe, "The Mexican Labor Movement: 1917-1975," Latin American Perspectives, Vol. 3, No. 1 (Winter 1976), 133-153.