Category Archives: labor issues

Unions Discuss Transatlantic Organizing

In what could have broad implications for U.S. automakers – particularly those with non-union transplants – German and U.S. union members met in Berlin today to make plans to build power on both sides of the Atlantic through coordinated organizing. It won’t be easy given the prevalence of union-busting in the U.S. even at German companies. Continue reading

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Unifor Faces Down FCA – Job and Investment Pattern Upheld

In round two of contract talks with the Detroit Three in Canada, Unifor upheld the pattern at FCA that was established when it took on a belligerent General Motors. Continue reading

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Appeals Court Affirms Right to Organize at Mercedes-Benz

The latest union busting dispute comes at a time when IndustriALL, a growing global coalition of unions representing 50 million members, elected Jörg Hofmann from Germany as President. Hofmann comes from German metalworkers’ trade union, IG Metall, where he is also President. Continue reading

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India Honda Workers’ Hunger Strike on Week 2

Five fired employees of the Tapukara plant of Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) began a hunger strike on 19 September demanding reinstatement of workers and the “withdrawal of false police charges” filed against them. On 26 September, the eighth … Continue reading

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Wages Rising at New Car Dealerships. Turnover Problematic

During 2015, America’s new-car dealerships created new jobs and provided median weekly earnings of $1,026, which exceeded non-farm, private-sector median weekly earnings of $825 by 24%. Over a five-year period, average compensation across all dealership positions increased steadily at an average annual rate of 3.2%, while median income growth of all positions grew at an average annual rate of 2.6%. Continue reading

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South African Metalworkers Win 35% Wage Increase

NUMSA declared a dispute with the employers’ group in July. After prolonged negotiations, an agreement was reached and signed on 12 September. This is the first time in nine years that an agreement was reached in the sector without strike action. In 2013, a strike by NUMSA in both manufacturing and components caused major problems for automakers. Continue reading

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Metalworkers Demonstrate in Brazil at Bosch, Correo, Renault, Volvo and WHB Plants. Much Larger National Strike Proposed

On 8 September, leaders of metalworkers unions affiliated to the CNTM and to the CNM/CUT, also affiliated to IndustriALL, announced that they will hold a joint national strike on 29 September. Continue reading

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Unifor Picks GM as Target in Canadian Auto Worker Talks

The union, an outgrowth of the Canadian Autoworkers union represents more the 23,000 Canadians workers at the Big Three Detroit automakers, and more than 310,000 members in every major sector of the Canadian economy. Continue reading

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Indian General Strike by Trade Unions Tomorrow

Trade unions in India will take part in a nationwide general strike tomorrow “against the government’s anti-worker policies.” Continue reading

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Unifor Flings Gauntlet as Ford, Fiat Chrysler Negotiations Open

Talks with General Motors formally began yesterday with GM releasing an aggressive statement that said “As we have underscored for the past two years, GM won’t make any future product decisions for Oshawa Assembly until after these negotiations.” Continue reading

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Canadian Unifor Opens Talks with Detroit Three This Week

Unifor’s bargaining committee chairperson for GM, Greg Moffatt says that the Buick Regal sedan and the Chevrolet Equinox SUV – strong sellers both – will end of their cycle before a redesign a year from now. Continue reading

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UK Oil and Gas Workers Plan First Brent Strike in 27 Years

Almost 400 members of IndustriALL Global Union affiliates Unite and the RMT at multinational oil and gas services company Wood Group will strike on 26 July in a dispute over 30% pay cuts in the Brent Field. Continue reading

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VW – Mired in Diesel Scandal – Says Major Restructuring Coming at Wolfsburg Works Council Meeting. Jobs at Stake

VW Says Major Restructuring Coming at Wolfsburg Works Council Meeting. VW it isn’t making enough money for future investments in products and plants, and worse, its business model is threatened. Continue reading

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Top IndustriALL Heads Say VW is Against Union Rights

The meeting, of more than 200 union representatives from around the world, took place on 25-26 May at the Frankfurt headquarters of IG Metall, a German affiliate of IndustriALL Global Union. Cooperation with the German Metalworkers Union is critical for VW, which has vast operations in Deutschland. Continue reading

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Subaru Brings Back Shop Training High Schools Dropped

The goal is to train secondary and post-secondary students for possible future employment at 620 Subaru retailers nationwide. Continue reading

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