Nothing is as simple as it seems when it comes to the Italian automotive industry and, after a relative lull, battle looks to be joined again tomorrow (25 November) in Turin.
Fiat has convened a meeting in the northern city with its principal four unions to discuss the Mirafiori plant and its future.
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However, with the almost built-in suspicion that Fiom customarily exhibits, the worker body, which Fiat earlier this year labelled “a sort of communist union,” is approaching the Turin talks warily.
There doesn’t appear to be any thought job losses might be involved, but Fiom wants to broaden the discussion to include the whole of Fiat’s Italian auto manufacturing.
And given Marchionne’s recent trenchant comments on the state of the country’s automotive capability, maybe Fiom is right to be a bit twitchy.
Here’s just a taster of what the Fiat chief executive said last month: “Fiat would do more if it took Italy out from its results. We cannot continue to manage operations at a loss forever,” he said, pulling no punches.
Despite Marchionne’s tough words, there is some carrot along with the stick. He says there will be US$20bn (US$26.7bn) of investment if Fiat can secure more labour flexibility.
Fiom insists tomorrow’s meeting should take into account the overall Italian situation – as well as all Mirafiori’s functions – that has seen Marchionne previously say he will close the Termini Imerese plant in Sicily as well as introduce changes to the national labour contract.
Fiom is not exactly falling over itself to welcome the meeting tomorrow, although is this a default reaction to its dealings with Fiat?
This from the national secretary of the CGIL-Fiom Giorgio Airaudo: “Unfortunately, we fear today is preparing yet another drama that we want to avoid and try to avoid in the interests of workers and the country.”
The language is actually quite conciliatory compared to some of Fiom’s former confrontations while Fiat has expressed its “complete readiness” to hold talks with its unions. Will Fiom feel the same optimism?
