A one-day strike over pay shut down General Motors Opel plant in Portugal on Thursday, a factory spokesman told the Reuters news agency.
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A “significant” number of workers at the plant in Azambuja, Portugal’s second-biggest car factory, had joined in the stoppage, halting output, spokesman Miguel Tome said.
Union leaders told the news agency 97% of the 1,200 workers at the site about 30 miles northeast of Lisbon had downed tools – the plant builds about 320 Opel [Corsa-based] Combo light vans a day.
Reuters said the strike comes amid stalled pay talks – the metal workers union is seeking a raise of 75 euros a month, or about 5% for the average salary, while Opel is offering 2%.
Opel also is seeking greater flexibility in labour schedules, such as reducing the work force in line with market cycles, the news agency said.
