Union leaders at Fiat are claiming walkout rates of up to 80% in some factories following yesterday’s (3 February) series of strikes at several of the automaker’s Italian plants.
The dispute centres on Fiat’s insistence its Termini Imerese factory assembling Lancia Ypsilon vehicles has to close this December, but the Fiom-Cgil union vehemently opposes the plan.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
According to Fiom-Cgil, there was an 80% turnout in Modena, 50% in some Turin centres and 55% in the San Nicola di Melfi factory, while an eight-hour strike has been called for tomorrow at the FMA Pratola Serra plant. The union adds further stoppages are planned at other Fiat group factories, notably in Brescia, Mantua and Pomigliano d’Arco.
“Workers of the Fiat group have realised the announced closure of Termini Imerese is not just a matter of grave concern for [the plant] itself,” said Fiom-Cgil national coordinator Enzo Masini.
“They understand there is a problem affecting the whole future of the Fiat group’s presence in Italy and thereby the future of Italy as a major industrial country.”
Fiat maintains it wants to transfer production of the Ypsilon car to Poland and in return, bring Panda work from there to Italy, although the manufacturer accepts there will be some job losses among the Termini Imerese employees.
The automaker insists it has “no issue” with the Sicily workforce or the quality of its work.
