Martorell factory, near Barcelona, accepted a wage freeze for 2009 via a referendum. Unilaterally proposed by the UGT union, the initiative was presented as a measure to support the factory, with the aim of convincing Volkswagen’s management to give the site the production of the new Audi Q3. This would improve employment stability at a time when the Catalan automotive sector is falling apart. CCOO, the other key trade union, called for a no to this freeze. (Ref. 090321)
Consultative...