Solidarity from the US for the Polish autoworkers and unions
Sławomir Ciebiera, Chairman of NSZZ Solidarność General Motors Manufacturing Poland
Dear Sławomir Ciebiera, I am writing on behalf of UAW President Ron Gettelfinger, UAW General Motors workers, and myself to express our solidarity with the trade unionists at GM’s Gliwice plant. We support your just struggle to increase wages and improve the livelihood of your membership.
As you may know, we just completed difficult negotiations with GM to secure a national agreement for U.S. auto workers. We find it very interesting that the same company that extols the Gliwice plant as a positive example of the Global Manufacturing System (GMS) suddenly threatens to relocate products because the unions have asked for an increase in wages. The workforce at the Gliwice has a strong reputation for excellent teamwork, continuous improvement, and producing high quality products. GM’s response of threats to the reasonable demands made by the trade unions flies in the face of the GMS core values such as integrity, teamwork, and individual respect and responsibility.
Your struggle for higher wages is our struggle as well. We view this negotiation as an important crossroad for the Polish labor movement. Your ability to improve the wages of the workers in Gliwice could have a positive impact on the region. The UAW has a long history of negotiating agreements that have improved the wages and benefits that our members enjoy today. We understand the difficult nature of the task you face and we want you to know that you are not alone in your struggle. If we can help you in any way, please let us know.
In solidarity,
Cal Rapson, Vice President and Director UAW General Motors Department
The letter for download
