Numerous metalworkers participated in an eight-hour general strike called last week by Italian unions FIOM, FIM and UILM in Lombardy, the heaviest COVID-19 affected region in northern Italy.
The unions decided to strike to persuade the government, which under pressure from the employers’ association Confindustria had approved a wide list of the companies allowed to continue production despite the pandemic. It appears that” profits not people” is also global virus among the Owning Class. Local unions report about work abstention levels as high as 60-90% in all the provinces of the region, according to IndustriALL, the global workers union.
The high rate is to some extent as coming from already implemented measures of smart working, interruption and reduction of working hours and other procedures put in place through the unions’ demands.
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.
FIOM, FIM and UILM companies currently have room for interpretation in what is considered an essential service, so many continue their activities. In light of the current spread of the corona virus, the unions have declared:
“We believe that the list is too enlarged, also including sectors of dubious importance and necessity.” One example is where work continued in a factory producing engines for hair dryers and vacuum cleaners.
Commenting on the results of the strike in a joint statement Fiom, Fim and Uilm said:
“The mobilization of the metalworkers was in support of the initiative of the national confederations [CGIL, CISL and UIL] vis-à-vis the government which has made itself available to review the list of essential activities that can therefore continue their operation. In these hours the exchange between CGIL, CISL, UIL and the government has resumed, and we hope will lead to the expected and requested results also through this strike.
“Stopping production activities for about ten days means reducing the possibility of contact between people and thus contain the chances of contagion, and this beneficial both for people’s health and our healthcare system which must be preserved from the risk of collapse,” the joint statement concluded.
The unions will “ensure that all those who have to return to work will operate safely and with full respect for their health. We will not hesitate, as shown, to block activities that do not comply with health requirements and safety measures.”
In a solidarity message, IndustriALL general secretary Valter Sanches, said:“IndustriALL Global Union calls on the government of Italy to protect the health and safety of all the workers who continue to work because they are providing essential services or working in vital manufacturing industries during this pandemic. Furthermore, IndustriALL, in line with the statement from the council of global unions from 12 March, is calling for safe factories or simply shutting down workplaces.”
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Italian Metalworkers Strike to Halt Non-Essential Production
The unions decided to strike to persuade the government, which under pressure from the employers’ association Confindustria had approved a wide list of the companies allowed to continue production despite the pandemic. It appears that” profits not people” is also global virus among the Owning Class. Local unions report about work abstention levels as high as 60-90% in all the provinces of the region, according to IndustriALL, the global workers union.
The high rate is to some extent as coming from already implemented measures of smart working, interruption and reduction of working hours and other procedures put in place through the unions’ demands.
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.
FIOM, FIM and UILM companies currently have room for interpretation in what is considered an essential service, so many continue their activities. In light of the current spread of the corona virus, the unions have declared:
“We believe that the list is too enlarged, also including sectors of dubious importance and necessity.” One example is where work continued in a factory producing engines for hair dryers and vacuum cleaners.
Commenting on the results of the strike in a joint statement Fiom, Fim and Uilm said:
“The mobilization of the metalworkers was in support of the initiative of the national confederations [CGIL, CISL and UIL] vis-à-vis the government which has made itself available to review the list of essential activities that can therefore continue their operation. In these hours the exchange between CGIL, CISL, UIL and the government has resumed, and we hope will lead to the expected and requested results also through this strike.
“Stopping production activities for about ten days means reducing the possibility of contact between people and thus contain the chances of contagion, and this beneficial both for people’s health and our healthcare system which must be preserved from the risk of collapse,” the joint statement concluded.
The unions will “ensure that all those who have to return to work will operate safely and with full respect for their health. We will not hesitate, as shown, to block activities that do not comply with health requirements and safety measures.”
In a solidarity message, IndustriALL general secretary Valter Sanches, said:“IndustriALL Global Union calls on the government of Italy to protect the health and safety of all the workers who continue to work because they are providing essential services or working in vital manufacturing industries during this pandemic. Furthermore, IndustriALL, in line with the statement from the council of global unions from 12 March, is calling for safe factories or simply shutting down workplaces.”
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.