Opel unions issue strike warning over factory closure
From AFP Global Edition | 2010-01-26 19:10:42
<div><p>Unions at General Motors unit Opel on Tuesday warned widespread strike action is a possibility as they refused to accept a planned Belgian plant closure at the troubled carmaker.</p><p>"A strike is the last resort, but management has to realise that we will undertake all manner of (industrial) action -- and that can include strikes," said Peter Scherrer of the European Metalworkers' Federation (EMF).</p><p>"There will be neither sacrifice nor concession by the unions, by the workers at other plants, if the decision is not overturned," Scherrer said in Antwerp after a meeting also assembling Austrian, British, German, Hungarian, Polish and Spanish unions.</p><p>The company announced last week its intention to close down an auto factory in Antwerp, probably by the summer, with the loss of 2,600 jobs.</p><p>That decision was accompanied by a switch in production for a line of sports utility vehicles (SUVs) to South Korea, against which unions have embarked on legal action.</p><p>Scherrer said workers at other GM Europe plants had agreed not to fill in for Antwerp workers during any stoppage.</p><p>"We make the GM management aware of a long history of European solidarity in common action," read a joint declaration by labour movements representing workers at Opel and Vauxhall. "This will be exercised if necessary."</p><p>The statement was signed by the European Employee Forum (EEF), the EMF and the European unions and works councils represented at GM Europe.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=67838186&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>
Copyright 2010 <a href="http://www.afp.com/english/links/?pid=copyright">AFP Global Edition</a></div></div>
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