Mississippi’s Alliance for Fairness at Nissan (MAFAN) is mulling a visit to Japan in order to move its concerns surrounding unionisation at the automaker’s US Canton plant, rapidly up the agenda.
MAFAN’s cause has been heavily backed by the US United Auto Workers (UAW) union, which has been in Paris this week to enlist the support of French and European labour bodies, as well as to highlight a report issued by international labour law expert, Professor Lance Compa, into Nissan in Mississippi.
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The Alliance has requested a meeting but has yet to receive a reply, according to UAW director for international affairs, Kristyne Peter.
“They made that request a while ago, so they are now considering going to Japan to seek a meeting,” Peter told just-auto from Paris.
“I think the Japanese public would be interested to know what Nissan USA is doing. Nissan’s corporate image is at stake here.”
The UAW has taken its campaign to Paris this week given Renault’s 43% ownership of Nissan and it appears the French unions are standing four-square behind the US labour body in its bid to support the Mississippi workers.
“All of the four [French] unions we have been partnering with were there [Paris press conference], CGT, CFDT, CFE-CGC and Force Ouvriere,” said Peter.
“It sends a message we have widespread support at global level. Through our French colleagues, we can raise this issue and they can lend a voice to the workers all the way to Canton, Mississippi.”
The UAW has been pressing for a resolution to the Nissan situation for some time, with its campaign featuring demonstrations at motor shows such as Detroit and Geneva, as well as enlisting the support of Hollywood actor, Danny Glover.
Nissan firmly refutes it is not respecting employee rights to join any trade union of choice and insists it complies with all laws in countries in which it operates.
“Accusations to the contrary are false,” said a statement sent to just-auto by Nissan in the US. “The report authored by Mr. Compa was paid for by the UAW, as acknowledged on page 46 of this report.
“The UAW has conducted a protracted effort to solicit Nissan’s employees for union representation without success. During the course of this unionisation effort, allegations have been made by the union and a few employees working with the union that the plant management has “intimidated” employees from joining the union.
“The Compa report repeats and is based entirely on these allegations. The allegations are absolutely not true and have been refuted by other employees.”
