Fiat’s hard-line FIOM union is calling for the automaker to present a new business plan following today’s (18 July) news the Pomigliano d’Arco plant is to shut for a further two weeks this summer.
The Italian manufacturer is citing the “downfall” of the European and particularly the Italian markets in the face of unprecedented economic headwinds for the extended shut-down, which will see the Panda-producing site close for five consecutive weeks from 23 July.
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“We need a new plan to maintain production of cars in Italy, because the old so-called Fabbrica Italia business plan is like a glass of water, dissolved,” a FIOM spokesman told just-auto from Italy.
“This is just the beginning of a different thinking.”
The 3,000 workers at the Pomigliano plant will be placed under the so-called ‘cassa integrazione’ scheme whereby employers pay into a fund to be redistributed in cases where staff need to be temporarily laid off.
The FIOM spokesman claimed Pomigliano workers would receive less than the average wage for their enforced lay-off with payments of around EUR800 (US$980) being made for the two-week shut-down.
Fiat earlier told just-auto from Turin the temporary closure was related to dire demand in Italy and Europe, with a spokesman noting: “Considering the investment we have done so far, I don’t think production will stop for the long term.
“And also we have to produce the new Panda.”
