Brazil: CNM/CUT metalworkers’ union stands by Opel’s Belgian employees after the announcement of the shutdown of the Antwerp plant

The announcement of the closure of Opel’s Antwerp plant (Belgium) sparked off controversy in Brazil, among the National Confederation of Metalworkers (Confederaçao Nacional dos Metalurgicos, CNM). This large union, affiliated with the Central Workers’ Union (Central Única dos Trabalhadores, CUT), represents one million metalworkers throughout the country, and sent a sympathy letter to the 2,600 workers of Opel’s Antwerp plant. “Nearly 3,000 workers are going to pay for a crisis caused by bosses. This is intolerable” said CNM/CUT leader Carlos Grana when presenting the letter. He also regretted the announcement of the restructuring program presented by the parent company, General Motors (GM), which should lead to 8,000 job cuts in Europe. The letter in itself denounces “the brutal intention of General Motors’ management to close the Antwerp plant.” The Brazilian metalworkers say this is a negative message to all the people working for the car manufacturer. “Considering that, during the hardest time of the recent crisis, this company was one of the main beneficiaries of the enormous financial support brought by the governments of several countries in the world, we were hoping GM would choose another path for its relations with workers” explains the letter. Then, referring to GM’s CEO in Europe: “However, as Mister Nick Reilly announced it, it won’t be the case. The company insists on having workers bear the weight of its poor management.” In this message, the CNM/CUT said it would inform GM’s Brazilian metalworkers of any detail related to the shutdown of the Antwerp plant and to the restructuring program before concluding, talking to Opel’s Belgian workers: “We are ready to actively help you.”