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8 November, 2021Building strong networks among workers in multinational companies to provide platforms for exchange and support is essential in building workers’ power. The Caterpillar global union network met online to discuss collective bargaining and industrial developments towards green tech and digitalization.
On 3 November, around 50 trade union representatives from Australia, Japan, Europe, Brazil and the USA met as part of the Caterpillar global union network. The US giant has a history of anti-union, anti-worker and anti-dialogue behaviour at its operations all over the world. At the same time, the global union network is becoming more and more mature and ready to counterweigh the company’s attitude by extending solidarity to colleagues in countries affected by management decisions in the USA.
"Caterpillar treats its employees with disrespect, in the USA, in Germany, worldwide. But we will fight back and the Caterpillar network will raise workers' voices and make sure they are heard. Solidarity will prevail and the company will pay a high price in the end if they continue to avoid dialogue,”
said Matthias Hartwich, IndustriALL director for mechanical engineering.
Participants discussed collective bargaining and working conditions in the different countries, where varying attitudes by management was of particular interest. For example Japanese management behaves more civilized than management in Germany. Also, the different systems of special gratifications like bonuses or primes were discussed and compared. Participants agreed to share bargaining demands and results on a platform.
Caterpillar, like many other companies in the sector, are experiencing a huge demand and good production numbers.
But largely driven by short-term profit expectations, corporate management makes decisions that are difficult to make sense of; Caterpillar has decided to close four production sites in Northern Germany where ship’s engines and energy generating equipment is designed and produced, although this market is promising. And management in the USA announced the decision in a 7-minute online meeting without any information or consultation with the union, slashing 950 jobs at Caterpillar, in addition to several thousand at suppliers and subcontractors.
IndustriALL affiliate IG Metall has launched a campaign to fight for the jobs, engaging in politicians, supplier companies and customers in discussions and holding demonstrations. And the network extended its solidarity to the German workers and will continue to support their struggle.
IndustriALL assistant general secretary Kemal Özkan said:
“Caterpillar continues to display the worst kind of corporate greed. Every year, we have cases where hundreds of jobs are threatened. Last year it was Northern Ireland, this year it is Germany. Our German sisters and brother from IG Metall are fighting for their dignity, jobs and future. Our global union network continues to show solidarity; the fight in Germany is also the fight of all. The struggle continues!”