19 May, 2010In solidarity with workers from South Korea, European Metalworkers' Federation (EMF) Automotive Committee calls on French automotive components maker Valeo to enter into negotiations with the union regarding closure of South Korea plant.
EUROPE: Over 50 union delegates from the 13 auto-producing nations of Europe called on French transnational automotive components maker Valeo to immediately open negotiations with South Korean union representatives of Valeo workers. The delegates from the major auto-sector unions of Europe adopted a motion at the May 11 - 12, 2010 European Metalworkers' Federation Automotive Committee meeting in Seville, Spain to support the South Korean union's call for a negotiated resolution of the disputes in South Korea.
Valeo had notified the Korean Metal Workers' Union (KMWU) about the closure of the Cheonan plant by telephone call on the day production was to stop and in the absence of prior consultation or information about the plant's closure. The workers in South Korea have been inside the plant since that day, maintaining the machinery and waiting for management to return. Demonstrating its openness to dialogue, KMWU has sent a delegation of workers to France, including KMWU national vice president for auto sector, to be available for Valeo Group negotiations and is calling on the transnational corporation to respect trade unions and enter dialogue in good faith.
The motion adopted by the major unions of Europe in auto sector sends a clear message that such extreme exclusion of trade unions in important decisions affecting workers lives will not be tolerated. The IMF is working with KMWU and EMF to secure the rights of the workers at Valeo's Korean operations.