A French union involved in the on-going discussions at General Motors’ former automatic transmissions plant in Strasbourg says it is holding firm against what it describes as “blackmail.”
GM is looking to acquire the site in eastern France for what some have speculated is a symbolic price of EUR1 (US$1.30) but is insisting that all four of its unions sign a deal to improve productivity.
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The CFDT, FO and CFTC unions have inked a deal following a recent referendum, but the CGT (Confederation Generale du Travail), representing some 200 out of the 1,150 employees, is refusing to add its signature.
“We maintain our position. It is pressure on our organisation to crack,” a CGT spokesman in France told just-auto today (27 July).
“We [will] have a meeting to denounce the methods of the management and pressure.”
The spokesman added he did not understand why GM required its signature to ratify the deal, which some reports say could strip out 10% of costs at the plant. “We don’t understand why the signature of the CGT is indispensable,” he said.
“We have been clear since the beginning – we do not accept blackmail. We are not going to sign.”
For its part, GM in France said it was still waiting for a response from its parent in the US but noted there was meeting of the works council including unions and management today.
“There is a meeting of the works council today but it is a normal works council – perhaps they will speak about it [the situation],” a GM spokesman told just-auto.
At present the Strasbourg factory is owned by Motors Liquidation Company, with GM mulling its acquisition.
