Workers represantives from General Motors European factories from Spain, France, UK, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Hungary and Poland take part in this mission, which is financed by the European Commission.

The mission is headed by Klaus Franz, chairman of the European Employee Forum (EEF) in which all workers of the GM corporation are organised. The European Metalworkers' Federation (EMF) umbrella organisation of 7 million metalworkers, is represented by Tony Murphy, director for company policy. Solidarność trade union is present with Wanda Stróżyk, chairwomen of FIAT Auto Poland/GM Powertrain Bielsko Biała / FIAT- GM POWERTRAIN, Sławomir Ciebiera, chairman of Opel Gliwice and Daniel Jaromin, chairman of ISUZU Tychy.

Regrettably the management of 50/50 joint venture FIAT GM Powertrain in Bielsko Biała has refused access of this group to this important production site, whereas the international visitors were cordially welcome by the social partners at ISUZU in Tychy and the car plant FSO Żeran in Warsaw.

This decission of FIAT against the European employees is assessed by the EEF chaiman as “a fundamental violation against the principles of social responsibility and a sign of weakness of the FIAT management to be involved in the social dialogue issues.

Klaus Franz Rudi Kennes

Chairman EEF Vice-Chairman EEF