EEF Press release 2007-03-19
Negotiations on next Astra have already started – General Motors’ European Employee Representatives only willing to talk about scenarios beyond plant closures
“We are trying to find common solutions with Management concerning the allocation of thenext Astra to create a win-win situation for both sides. We are very well aware that the environment of the automotive industry is harshly competitive, but if GM Management insists on a plant closure there will be nothing to talk about. We are not going to accept a second closure with buy-outs like Azambuja, never”, said Klaus Franz, Chairman of the General Motors’ European Employee Forum. Today, the negotiations between General Motors and its European Employee Representatives on the allocation of the next global Astra have already started at the headquarters of the Opel brand in Germany. Some days ago Carl-Peter Forster, President of General Motor Europe, still told the news media that it would be the outcome of this talks if a plant will be closed or not. Contrary to this statement General Motors’ European Employee Forum (EEF) made it quite clear during the meeting that they are only willing to talk about solutions beyond any plant closure.
During the meeting in Rüsselsheim, GM Management presented the first economic figures und planning data for the so-called “Global Delta Architecture” where models like the Opel Astra should be built. Experts from “Management Engineers” also attended the meeting requested by the Employee Representatives who made use of their right to get the support of economic and legal advisors during the European negotiation process. Key demands of GM’s European Employee Forum for the negotiations are: No plant closures, no forced redundancies, a fair allocation of product volumes, no violation of national collective bargaining agreements and an European Future Agreement until 2016. “I don’t see a serious economic situation which would force GM Management to close a plant. Quite the contrary is the fact. We can make use of the advantage of the Global Delta Architecture to extend the European product portfolio and to manufacture additional GM brands in the existing plants”, said Klaus Franz.
