Belgium - Unions sue GM over closure Antwerp factory - January 27, 2010

Belgian metalworkers’ unions are suing General Motors (GM) European unit Opel for breaching a contract with the Belgian trade unions when the carmaker decided last week to close its Antwerp plant and produce a two small SUV models elsewhere, most likely in South Korea. In a common position on Opel Antwerp of the European Employee Forum (EEF), the European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF), the European unions and Works Councils within Opel/Vauxhall, it is argued that the relocation of the two models is the only reason for the intended closure of the Antwerp factory. The workers’ representatives declare that in case of non-closure of Antwerp, GM would need Euro 500 million less in guarantee loans from the European governments; also, earlier the Flemish government offered Euro 300 million in guarantee loans, and has announced to maintain this offer. Union representatives from Germany, Spain and the UK came to the Belgian Opel plant as to show their solidarity with the 2,600 workers there.

English: http://www.emf-fem.org/Press/Press-releases/Common-position-on-Antwerp

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSWEB674920100126?type=marketsNews

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5172030,00.html

http://www.euronews.net/2010/01/26/union-leaders-travel-to-axed-opel-plant/ 

This article was published in the Collective Bargaining Newsletter, which presents up-to-date information on collective bargaining developments across Europe. It aims to facilitate information exchange between trade unions and to support the work of ETUC's collective bargaining committee. For more information, please contact the editor Maarten van Klaveren, Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Labour Studies (AIAS) M.vanKlaveren@uva.nl. You may find further information on the ETUI at www.etui.org, and on the AIAS at www.uva-aias.net. © ETUI aisbl, Brussels 2009. All rights reserved. The ETUI is not responsible for the content of external internet sites. The ETUI is financially supported by the European Community. The European Community is not responsible for any use made of the information contained in this news section.