Fiat-Opel: Italian and German unions united against job cuts after a possible merger

Beginning of European coordination. The European trade unions created a “work group” and demanded “true negotiations because the possible reduction of the European structure must be done without any closure but there must be solidarity between all the sites” explained Bruno Vitali. Enzo Masini added that they “agreed to give a final judgment after they are fully aware of the industrial, financial and employment-related aspects of Fiat’s plan.” He pointed to the “common will” of the united unions “to oppose by all means and with firmness to the idea of setting the workers of one nation against the workers of another, or the workers of one establishment against the workers of another.” He concluded: “As union organizations, we must, together, ensure that workers won’t be the only ones to pay for the restructuring.”
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ranz, President of Opel’s central WC, Bruno Vitali, in charge of the auto sector at the Fim-Cisl, and Enzo Masini, Fiom-CGIL auto coordinator. Confirming the Italian unions’ worst fears, German unions described the plans fiat presented in Germany. After taking over Opel, fiat would reorganize the establishment of Pomigliano d’Arco (Campania) and close the Termini Imerese factory (Sicily). Job cuts and site closures should also affect other European sites. In Germany, the IG Metall is worried ab

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