Workers Reinstated at Auto Alliance (Thailand)

THAILAND: Auto Alliance (Thailand), a joint venture of Ford and Mazda, suspended four union leaders in May (see previous IMF report of May 31). By the end of the month, three had been fired outright and the case of the fourth (who could not be fired immediately because he was a member of a legally mandated committee) was pending before the Thai labour authorities. Strong protests were made by the IMF and affiliates to Auto Alliance management, supporting the demand of the Auto Alliance union (AATU) for negotiations for the immediate reinstatement of the workers. In June, an IMF delegation accompanied the AATU and IMF Thai affiliate TEAM to a meeting with AAT management to promote a negotiated solution. Thanks to the efforts of TEAM, backed up by international solidarity, a new round of negotiations took place which resulted in an agreement for the reinstatement of the workers. The return of the fired workers to the plant is a victory of solidarity which will allow the AATU to increase its strength and provide momentum for organising workers in neighbouring plants.