Italian union FIOM says strong comments by Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne concerning its decision not to ink a labour deal, were “unbelievable.”
Speaking to just-auto in Detroit recently, Marchionne blasted FIOM’s action as “nonsense,” in the teeth of consensus reached with Fiat’s other unions for a pay rise and bonus in exchange for more flexible productivity.
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“We have negotiated with the unions and FIOM refused to participate,” said Marchionne. “It is nonsense – 50% of the votes went in favour.”
But FIOM – which is also announcing a day of protest in Rome against the new deal – has hit back at Marchionne’s comments – while adding there is “no dialogue” between the parties.
“This is something unbelievable,” a FIOM spokesman told just-auto from Italy. “He [Marchionne] talks as if he was in the US and not in Italy. There is no dialogue – I am sorry to say there is no kind of dialogue.”
FIOM also revealed details of a national demonstration against the new agreement for 11 February in Rome, although as it is a Saturday, the union was at pains to insist it did “not imply any strike.”
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By GlobalDataThe labour body also said it did not have representatives any more in Fiat plants, as the automaker did not recognise its shop stewards.
A Fiat spokeswoman in Turin confirmed to just-auto that FIOM was not recognised in its plants and no dialogue was taking place.
“We don’t speak with FIOM,” she said.
