General Motors: the EMF and the European work’s council are threatening to block negotiations in the entire group as long as the Anvers factory question has not been settled

The future of General Motors' Anvers factory is not yet assured but unions and the car manufacturer's European management are working on it. The plan would be to build 80,000 Chevrolets in 2010, when the Opel Astra will no longer be produced. Belgian unions are on strike because they think that this production level is insufficient to guarantee employment. Supporting this mobilization, the European Metalworkers Federation (EFM) and the group's EWC declared that, everywhere else, no negotiation at the local level will begin as long as employment's future in the Anvers factory is not guaranteed. (Ref. 070382)
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

80,000 Chevrolets starting in 2010. After the two negotiation days in Rüsselsheim, Germany, both parties came to what can be perceived as the beginning of an agreement. 80,000 Chevrolets could be produced in Anvers as soon as 2010, date to which the current Opel Astra model will be stopped. For unions this is a first step, but it is not enough. They want to obtain the production of another model. They let the European management know their claim. On May 4, GM Europe’s manager will meet, in Brus

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
Catherine Chavanier (CDC Habitat): “Social dialogue on AI facilitates its deployment”
In February, CDC Habitat (10,500 employees) signed a two-year framework agreement governing social dialogue on AI. Catherine Chavanier, HR Director of the subsidiary of CDC (Caisse des dépôts et...
EU: Council adopts position on simplifying AI rules
The Council of the EU approved its position on 13 March regarding the “omnibus regulation” proposal, published last November by the Commission to simplify the AI Act. Confirming the...
20 March 2026
Germany: menopause issues finally gain corporate recognition
With 12 million women over 40 in the labour force, German companies and occupational health professionals are beginning to adopt support policies for those affected by menopause-related issues...
Greece: hospitality sector signs first collective agreement aligned with National Social Pact
The hospitality sector (125,000 employees), one of Greece’s largest industries after retail, signed a new two-year collective agreement on 17 March. The text, effective from 1 April 2026...
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
France: LinkedIn reveals most sought-after HR skills
LinkedIn is revealing the most sought-after HR skills in 2026 in a study to be published on 24 February, which mind RH is previewing. Internal communication, training planning, occupational health...
2
Netherlands: new government seeks to “control” social costs
In his government policy statement to Parliament on 25 February, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten announced several measures designed to "control" social costs. Notably, he proposed raising the...
3
Germany: accelerated professional integration in sight for asylum seekers
Germany’s interior minister Alexander Dobrindt has announced plans to accelerate the professional integration of asylum seekers in Germany. “The best integration is the one that starts...
4
Spain: a bill to regulate internships
On 3 March, the Council of Ministers approved the bill on the “Status for persons undergoing non-professional practical training in companies”. The text limits the number of interns a company can...
5
EU: co-legislators aim to pivot European Globalisation Adjustment Fund towards restructuring anticipation
On 25 February, the Council of the EU and the Parliament reached an agreement on the Commission’s proposed regulation to expand the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF). Under the...
6
Block to slash workforce by nearly half
The news. In his latest shareholder letter, Jack Dorsey, CEO of payment service provider Block (formerly Square), announced plans to slash the company’s workforce “by nearly half, from...