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23 January, 2001GM's Vauxhall workers are fighting to keep their jobs.
GREAT BRITAIN: Over 10,000 people took part in a mass demonstration at the General Motors Vauxhall plant in Luton on Saturday, January 20, in protest over the unilateral decision taken by GM to close its Luton plant in 2002. The company did not consult the plant's workers or their unions over its plan, resulting in workers learning about their job loss through the mass media.
Taking part in the march in addition to the 2,000-plus Vauxhall employees and their families were many others who will be affected by the cost-cutting measures drawn up by GM's U.S. management. There were workers from GM parts suppliers, and workers from other GM plants in the UK and the European mainland which will be affected by the GM decision. Among those supporting their British colleagues were workers from Spain, Belgium and Germany, as well as representatives from the European Trade Union Confederation and the IMF.
During the protest rally, trade union leaders and members of Parliament voiced strong demands for GM to reverse its decision, which, they said, not only ignores GM's obligations under European law but is also contrary to the commitment given for the Luton plant two years ago when the UK government provided some £40 million to reequip the plant and secure its future. One of the speakers at the rally, the general secretary of the Transport & General Workers' Union, Bill Morris, demanded of GM a "change of mind and a change of policy." He added that "the argument is not just about economics, but it is also about morality. We signed an agreement, we have delivered the productivity targets the company set, we have good industrial relations, produce cars of excellent quality, and what's more, the plant is profitable. But the 'reward' for the town, for the community and the workers is closure."
A message sent to the rally on behalf of the United Auto Workers' GM Department in the U.S. pledged solidarity in opposing GM's efforts to downsize their operations and stated that GM decisions "seem to be made without regard to the effects on the communities of which they are a part or the families of our members who are affected. As you are aware, General Motors has closed or sold off over 40 major manufacturing operations affecting large numbers of our members... In the United States the downsizing came about because of faulty and short-term corporate decisions that cost General Motors marketshare and customers... We understand the concerns that you are facing and wish you well in your efforts to protect your members."
A Europe-wide day of action on January 25 will see the participation of employees and their unions from all GM's European locations. They reject plant closures due to bad management and are demanding job guarantees for Luton, Ellesmere Port and other locations, plus future job guarantees.
Taking part in the march in addition to the 2,000-plus Vauxhall employees and their families were many others who will be affected by the cost-cutting measures drawn up by GM's U.S. management. There were workers from GM parts suppliers, and workers from other GM plants in the UK and the European mainland which will be affected by the GM decision. Among those supporting their British colleagues were workers from Spain, Belgium and Germany, as well as representatives from the European Trade Union Confederation and the IMF.
During the protest rally, trade union leaders and members of Parliament voiced strong demands for GM to reverse its decision, which, they said, not only ignores GM's obligations under European law but is also contrary to the commitment given for the Luton plant two years ago when the UK government provided some £40 million to reequip the plant and secure its future. One of the speakers at the rally, the general secretary of the Transport & General Workers' Union, Bill Morris, demanded of GM a "change of mind and a change of policy." He added that "the argument is not just about economics, but it is also about morality. We signed an agreement, we have delivered the productivity targets the company set, we have good industrial relations, produce cars of excellent quality, and what's more, the plant is profitable. But the 'reward' for the town, for the community and the workers is closure."
A message sent to the rally on behalf of the United Auto Workers' GM Department in the U.S. pledged solidarity in opposing GM's efforts to downsize their operations and stated that GM decisions "seem to be made without regard to the effects on the communities of which they are a part or the families of our members who are affected. As you are aware, General Motors has closed or sold off over 40 major manufacturing operations affecting large numbers of our members... In the United States the downsizing came about because of faulty and short-term corporate decisions that cost General Motors marketshare and customers... We understand the concerns that you are facing and wish you well in your efforts to protect your members."
A Europe-wide day of action on January 25 will see the participation of employees and their unions from all GM's European locations. They reject plant closures due to bad management and are demanding job guarantees for Luton, Ellesmere Port and other locations, plus future job guarantees.