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The strength of the European solidarity of trade unions and workers displayed GME’s limits.
General Motors Europe and the European Employee Forum (EEF) made the following key points on 17th April 2007 during negotiations concerning production distribution for the next Astra Generation:
Due to a massive cutback in basic engineering content in the production of the new Astra, 4500 jobs will be axed according to GME. This would lead to the loss of 1750 jobs in Bochum (Germany) and 1400 jobs in Trollhätten (Sweden) in addition to the 1400 jobs in Antwerp.
European negotiations will continue in the working group meeting on 25th April 2007 on the basis of these key points. Until then GME and the EEF have agreed to discuss the decrease in production volumes and job cuts at local level and in addition to develop proposals for the European working group.
The first step was to obtain the bid for the production of the new Astra. The following also needs to be discussed: What are the details of management’s proposals when making cut backs and how will job cuts be carried out? Furthermore neither the total production volume for Delta nor the additional production volumes for Antwerp have yet been fixed.
The EEF will use auditors to verify and analyse all figures and data in the ongoing information and consultation process at European level. At the same time GME will verify and analyse the EEF alternative proposals.
Negotiations will continue at European level until a European framework agreement is concluded. Trade union solidarity must therefore hold strong. In particular there should be no local agreements at the five sites before the European framework agreement is concluded. “For the affiliated organisations of the European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF) it is essential to ensure the future of the sites. The gradual closing of plants will lead to massive opposition from the trade unions. We need to secure the future for all sites”, states Peter Scherrer, the EMF General Secretary.
The intention of the EEF is to conclude a European contract to ensure the future for all sites and not only for the Delta plants, which will be effective until 2016. The next step will therefore be to include all plants in the negotiations. This will be discussed at the meeting of the GM Europe Manufacturing Committee to be held at the beginning of May.
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PRESS 22/2007
The EMF is the representative body defending the interests of workers in the European metal industry. The EMF has a mandate for the external representation and coordination of the metalworkers' unions and a mandate to engage in bargaining at European level.
For further information please contact:
Editor, Peter Scherrer, EMF General Secretary
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PRESS 22/2007
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