A European day of action was organised on 25 January 2001 by the European Metalworkers' Federation (EMF) at all European plants of the US-based motor manufacturer General Motors (GM). The action was taken in protest against the decision announced in December 2000 by Vauxhall, GM's UK subsidiary, to end car production at its UK plant in Luton (UK0012104F [1]).[1] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/undefined-working-conditions/problems-mount-for-uk-automotive-manufacturers-in-face-of-increased-competitive-pressures
A European day of action was staged on 25 January 2001 by the European Metalworkers' Federation, in protest against the decision announced in December 2000 by General Motors to close its Vauxhall car manufacturing facilities at Luton in the UK.
A European day of action was organised on 25 January 2001 by the European Metalworkers' Federation (EMF) at all European plants of the US-based motor manufacturer General Motors (GM). The action was taken in protest against the decision announced in December 2000 by Vauxhall, GM's UK subsidiary, to end car production at its UK plant in Luton (UK0012104F).
EMF reported that over 40,000 GM employees in Europe stopped work on 25 January and took part in the protest - 16,000 in Germany (at Rüsselsheim, Bochum, Kaiserlautern and Eisenach), 7,000 in Belgium (Antwerp), 11,000 in the UK (Luton and Ellesmere Port), 1,000 in Portugal and 5,000 in Spain. Addressing 7,000 workers assembled at the Opel AG plant in Rüsselsheim, the EMF general secretary, Reinhard Kuhlmann, stated that "this striking example of European solidarity cannot fail to impress GM management."
Trade union representatives have called on the company to attempt to find viable alternatives to the closure of the Luton plant, which they estimate is likely to result in the loss of over 2,000 jobs directly, and many more indirectly as the closure will have a knock-on effect on suppliers.
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) gave its full support to the day of action, placing it in the broader context of the European statutory framework regarding the information and consultation of workers. The ETUC general secretary, Emilio Gabaglio, stated that: "The case of Luton clearly shows the necessity to introduce European norms on information and consultation of workers in all companies within the EU." Mr Gabaglio appealed to the UK government to end its opposition to the proposed EU Directive on the information and consultation of workers at national level, originally proposed by the European Commission in November 1998 (EU9812135F) and discussed by the Council of Ministers during the latter half of 2000 (EU0012287F). ETUC also reiterated calls for a reinforcement of the EU European Works Councils Directive (EU0001221N).
Eurofound recommends citing this publication in the following way.
Eurofound (2001), Unions stage European day of action over Vauxhall, article.
