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Category Archives: labor issues
Two Spanish Nissan Plants on Strike over Job Security
On 14 May, the Nikkei Shimbun published a speculative story on Nissan’s future production strategy. “Nissan in fiscal 2019 produced about 55,000 vehicles in Spain, accounting for about 10% of its European output. It will shift its Barcelona production to Renault plants in France and elsewhere,” said the Nikkei. “Nissan has not made any official statement on this subject. Nissan’s midterm planning is in progress and has not been concluded yet. As announced earlier, Nissan will announce a revised midterm plan along with fiscal year 2019 financial results on May 28,” said a Nissan statement. Continue reading
CAR Launches Research Exploring the Auto Industry 4.0
The project will also include an investigation into the financial investment and expectations for associated return on investment for companies implementing Industry 4.0 strategies. Continue reading
Half of Pandemic Layoffs Will Result in Permanent Job Loss
The authors say that even if the crisis is resolved quickly, many pandemic-induced shifts in consumer demand and business will linger. Therefore, they conclude that the reallocation of labor is likely to persist and estimate that 42% of recent pandemic-induced layoffs will result in permanent job loss. Continue reading
More than 20 Million Jobs Lost in April as ~15% Unemployed
Employment fell sharply in all major industry sectors. There were particularly heavy job losses in leisure and hospitality where the spread was initially ignored as Washington slept – until people, now former customers stopped traveling or died. This was out of self-preservation as the corpses mounted in non-living color on the news and in statistical counts. It was also the result of some Democratically-controlled states where shelter in place was imposed out of concern for the health of residents and not for the health of the increasingly infected Trump reelection campaign. Continue reading
Global Unions Want COVID-19 Dubbed Occupational Disease
The global union movement says workers need official recognition of COVID-19 as an occupational disease. Such recognition would ensure the right to worker representation and occupational safety and health (OSH) rights and the application of agreed measures to reduce risk. These rights include the right to refuse to work under unsafe working conditions. This also ensures employers are responsible and liable and that negligent employers are subject to the application of penalties. Continue reading
TravelCenters of America Lays Off More than 3000
Most were involved in the restaurants at the truck stops. All furloughed employees currently enrolled in TA’s benefits programs will continue to be eligible for health care coverage based on their plan. Continue reading
Unions, FCA Sign Agreement on Workplace Health and Safety
The guidelines established focused on “rigorous implementation of government directives aimed at combating the spread of the Covid-19 virus and application of best practices implemented by the Group at its sites around the world.” This presumably applies to the United States where the ‘Do Nothing’ Trump Administration claims that this is a job for the states, not National leadership. Continue reading
Teamsters, CtW Investment Group Demand Amazon Reveal Workplace Safety Record
The request comes after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) allowed Amazon to exclude a shareholder proposal that the two investors had filed to be voted on at the online retailer’s annual meeting of shareholders, scheduled for May 27. It’s the latest example of government agencies suppressing democracy under the current administration. The investors are appealing the SEC’s staff decision to the full Commission today. Continue reading
UAW Pressure: Ford Further Postpones NA Production Restart
In a duh statement Ford said: “Ford and autoworkers’ unions – especially the UAW – are working closely on initiatives to keep the workforce safe, including upgrading social distancing guidelines, requiring the workers to self-certify daily that they are not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms – and more.” Continue reading
Italian Metalworkers Strike to Halt Non-Essential Production
It is AutoInformed’s view a clear demonstration of strong support for union appeals both in Lombardy and at the national level, demanding the closing of all non-essential production activities. Continue reading
FCA Expands Coronavirus Relief – 1 Million Meals for Kids
FCA said publicly yesterday its plants across the U.S. and Canada, as well as headquarters operations and construction projects, are to remain closed only until 14 April, dependent upon the various states’ stay-in-place orders and the readiness of each facility to return to production. (FCA to Restart of North American Operations?) The UAW is apparently not pleased with the decision that threatens the health and safety of its members. (UAW Balks at Reopening Workplaces) Continue reading
Posted in economy, environment, labor issues, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, COVID-19 Pandemic, fca, Kenneth Zino, Mike Manley
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FCA to Restart of North American Operations?
Note the irony of an Italian owned company where COVID-19 is raging unabated, assuming a business as usual approach to the global pandemic where the untied sates is now leading in the rate of diagnosis of the virus. Continue reading
Posted in economy, environment, labor issues, manufacturing, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, COVID-19, fca, Kenneth Zino, uaw
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UAW Balks at Reopening Workplaces
“The only guideline in a boardroom should be management asking themselves, “Would I send my family — my own son or daughter — into that plant and be 100% certain they are safe?” – UAW President Rory L. Gamble Continue reading
Ford Motor Company Stops South American Production
Effective from 23 March in Brazil and 25 March in Argentina, this action “adjusts the production volumes to the lower consumer demand due to this unprecedented situation.” Continue reading
Posted in economy, environment, labor issues
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, COVID-19, Ford Argentina, Ford Brazil, Kenneth Zino
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Renault, Nissan Motor, Mitsubishi Slice, Dice World by Brand
The member companies plan to build on existing Alliance “benefits” in areas such as joint purchasing by using their respective positions and geographic strengths to support their partners’ business development. The three companies of the Alliance will cover all vehicle segments and technologies globally, while increasing their respective competitiveness. By implementing the plan, Nissan aims to achieve a 5% operating profit margin and a sustainable global market share of 6% by the end of fiscal year 2023, including proportionate contributions from its 50% equity joint venture in China. Continue reading →