Dear Johny,

The closure of the Azambuja plant could not be avoided. There are several reasons for this defeat. One is that the investment decision for the relocation of the Combo was already taken when unions tried to influence the plans of the management. At this point of time it is hard to change GM's planning. Ok - one could ask why the unions and the EEF didn't act earlier. On the one hand this has something to do with the restrictive information strategy of GM, on the other hand the closure of Azambuja was a turning point in managements strategy. Azambuja was closed during the life-cycle of its product (Opel Combo). This was a new experience for the unions and the EEF. Before plants normally were safeguarded during the life-cycle of a product. This threat of plant closures during the life-cycle is becoming even worse with the global platforms. GM is then able to relocate production and products in between weeks from one continent to another.

You are not right when you argue that there was no european solidarity, only words. Have a look at the overview of actions above. That are not only solidarity letters and symbolic actions. All over Europe GM Employees acted for their Portuguese colleagues. In many plants production was stopped to create pressure on GM. Without that pressure the high redundany payments for the Azambuja employees would not have been possible.

Bla, bla, bla, words, words and what was the result? The plant was closed! I have not seen a european solidarity, I mean real actions, not only statements from the unions.