Auto Workers Issues
The reality behind the “rebound” of the US auto industry
By Jerry White and Shannon Jones, 12 June 2013
Behind the rising profits of US automakers is a staggering decline in labor costs.
Germany: SEP election campaign wins support of Berlin Mercedes workers
By Clara Weiss, 10 June 2013
German trade unions are actively involved in providing Mercedes-Benz with low-paid workers from temporary work agencies.
Mass layoffs hit European auto parts suppliers
By Markus Salzmann, 8 June 2013
In the next five years, 75,000 jobs are to be eliminated at car parts suppliers in western Europe.
The Ford closures, the market and the fight for socialism
By Nick Beams—SEP Senate candidate for NSW, 7 June 2013
The market is not some “natural” form of socio-economic organisation, but the means by which finance capital exercises its dictatorship over the working class
Worker dies from extreme heat at Georgia auto parts plant
By Kristina Betinis and Jerry White, 6 June 2013
Teresa Pickard, a 42-year-old Sewon auto parts worker, died May 29 after working on a weld line in the LaGrange plant.
Australian government announces bogus “assistance” for Ford workers
By Patrick O’Connor, 4 June 2013
As with the 2011 “transition” package for sacked Bluescope steel workers, the beneficiaries will be the unions, selected local businesses and private employment network providers.
An international political strategy for Ford Australia workers
By the Socialist Equality Party (Australia), 25 May 2013
Ford’s plan to close its Australian plants by 2016 is part of a vast restructuring of the international auto industry that is devastating the jobs, wages and conditions of car workers around the world.
German Socialist Equality Party campaign wins support among Opel workers in Rüsselsheim
By Marianne Arens, 25 May 2013
In the course of campaigning for ballot status for the September general election, reporters interviewed workers in Rüsselsheim for the World Socialist Web Site.
Works council in Bochum seeks to stifle opposition to GM-Opel plant closing
By Dietmar Henning, 24 May 2013
The chairman of the works council at the GM-Opel factory in Bochum called a meeting at the plant gate which halted production for several hours following the recent confirmation by management that it planned to close the plant.
UAW and Fiat battle over union’s multi-billion dollar stake in Chrysler
By Shannon Jones, 23 May 2013
The United Auto Workers is seeking billions of dollars for its holdings in Chrysler Corporation as Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne prepares for a merger of the two automakers.
Germany: Opel Bochum workers denounce union sellout
By our correspondents, 11 May 2013
GM Opel workers are incensed over the betrayal carried out by the IG Metall trade union.
French unions back closure of PSA Aulnay auto factory
By Anthony Torres, 7 May 2013
On Monday, auto maker PSA’s central works council authorized a redundancy scheme to close PSA’s plant at Aulnay, near Paris.
UAW chief stabs German Opel workers in the back
By Jerry White, 2 May 2013
United Auto Workers President Bob King called on workers at General Motors’ Opel factory in Bochum, Germany to vote again on a concessions-laden contract.
American GM worker supports German Opel workers
By Jerry White, 2 May 2013
In August 2010, workers at General Motors stamping plant in Indianapolis, Indiana rebelled against the efforts of the United Auto Workers to push through a 50 percent wage cut to entice a new owner to buy the plant, which was being shuttered by GM. With the support of the World Socialist Web Site , workers organized a rank-and-file committee independent of the UAW to oppose the wage cut and threatened factory closure.
At Opel plant in Bochum, Germany, Maoists provide key support for union leadership
By Ulrich Rippert, 27 April 2013
The Maoist “Marxist–Leninist Party of Germany” (MLPD) has leapt to the side of the union bureaucracy to prevent a rebellion against the IG Metall trade union.
Victimized Detroit Chrysler worker reinstated
By Shannon Jones, 25 April 2013
Alex Wassell returned to work last week after more than one month off the job.
Bochum Opel plant to close
By Ulrich Rippert, 20 April 2013
The supervisory board of GM-Opel officially decided on Wednesday to close its plant in Bochum.
GM and German metal workers union collaborate against Opel workers
By Dietmar Henning, 19 April 2013
The closure of Opel’s factory in Bochum is central to GM’s strategy and a prelude to a fundamental restructuring of its European operations.
Chrysler Canada intensifies shop floor harassment
By Carl Bronski, 15 April 2013
Chrysler Canada is targeting older, ill and injured workers and “the CAW is turning a blind eye to the discrimination and harassment,” explains a Windsor, Ontario Chrysler worker in a letter to the WSWS.
India: Victimized Maruti Suzuki workers stage fresh protests
By Deepal Jayasekera, 13 April 2013
Victimized workers from the Maruti Suzuki car assembly plant at Manesar, Haryana continue to mount protests against their arbitrary dismissal and the jailing of almost 150 workers on grave, trumped-up criminal charges.
General Motors in drive to cut skilled trades jobs in US plants
By Shannon Jones, 11 April 2013
GM is seeking to eliminate skilled and high seniority workers in order to slash costs.
Eastern European auto industry in crisis
By Markus Salzmann, 10 April 2013
Low wages are no longer low enough and auto companies are increasingly moving production to North Africa.
General Motors-Holden to eliminate 500 more jobs in Australia
By James Cogan, 9 April 2013
The sackings will take the number of job losses in the Australian car industry to close to 2,000 in the past 12 months alone.
One month after victimization of Alex Wassell
UAW breaks silence on Chrysler firing skilled tradesman
By Shannon Jones, 5 April 2013
Auto workers should place no confidence in the UAW to fight for the reinstatement of the 20-year veteran Chrysler Warren Stamping worker.
IG Metall union joins offensive against GM-Opel workers
By Dietmar Henning, 30 March 2013
The executive of the IG Metall trade union unanimously voted in Frankfurt-Main in favor of the so-called “Opel Master Contract”, sealing the closure of the GM-Opel factory in Bochum.
Spain: Sacked Delphi workers confront trade unions
By Vicky Short, 29 March 2013
Sacked Delphi workers in Cadiz clashed with trade union officials during an official celebration called by the Socialist Party-Communist Party regional government.
Tensions high at Chrysler Warren Stamping in wake of victimization
By Shannon Jones, 28 March 2013
Skilled trades worker Alex Wassell was fired for opposing the Alternative Work Schedule, recently implemented at the plant.
Detroit area worker killed in auto parts plant
By Bryan Dyne, 27 March 2013
A 42-year-old auto parts worker at Mollertech LLC in Shelby Township, Michigan was crushed to death last Thursday when a five-ton die fell on him.
Germany: IG Metall union stitches up the Opel Bochum workforce
By Dietmar Henning, 23 March 2013
At two staff meetings on Thursday, workers at the Opel plant in Bochum voted by a large majority (76.1 percent) against the so-called “master contract”.
Unions approve closure of PSA’s Aulnay plant in France
By Antoine Lerougetel, 21 March 2013
On Monday, the unions voted to accept the closure the PSA Peugeot-Citroën factory at Aulnay, cutting 3,000 jobs directly and 11,214 jobs throughout France.
India: Victimized Maruti Suzuki workers file affidavits documenting their torture
By Arun Kumar and Kranti Kumara, 20 March 2013
Thirteen of the jailed Maruti Suzuki workers have filed affidavits in court accusing Haryana state police and senior management personnel of colluding in their torture and threatening to kill them.
At mass meeting in Rüsselsheim
German auto union splits GM-Opel workforce
By our correspondent, 20 March 2013
Workers spoke of an atmosphere of intimidation at recent IG Metall meetings to discuss the future of GM-Opel.
The managed bankruptcy of GM and Chrysler: A model for the assault on Detroit
By Jerry White, 19 March 2013
Detroit’s new Emergency Financial Manager is considering a “managed bankruptcy” to slash jobs, wages and pensions.
Italy: Bridgestone wants to close plant in Bari
By Marianne Arens, 19 March 2013
Tyre manufacturer Bridgestone is responding to the declining European tyre market by cutting jobs in southern Italy.
Chrysler fires worker for protest
By Shannon Jones, 15 March 2013
Chrysler has fired a skilled trade worker at the Warren Stamping plant north of Detroit for involvement in a protest against the widely despised Alternative Work Schedule.
Auto workers denounce victimization of Chrysler worker
By Shannon Jones, 15 March 2013
Chrysler workers in the Detroit area are speaking out against the victimization of Warren Stamping skilled trades worker Alex Wassell.
Statement by the Socialist Equality Party of Germany (PSG) and the editorial board of the World Socialist Web Site
Opel workers: Vote no on the contract!
15 March 2013
The agreement reached between GM-Opel management, IG Metall and the joint works council is aimed at pitting workers at different plants against each other and carrying out the closure of the Bochum factory.
France: PSA car workers’ strike at an impasse
By Pierre Mabut, 14 March 2013
Some 100 PSA Citroën car workers from the Aulnay plant near Paris occupied the Engineering Employers Federation’s Paris offices to protest plans to close their plant.
Unions sign French automaker Renault’s plan to slash jobs, wages
By Kumaran Ira, 8 March 2013
Unions at Renault approved a cost-cutting plan allowing the carmaker to cut jobs, lengthen working hours and freeze wages in factories across France.
Chrysler victimizes Detroit-area auto worker
By Shannon Jones, 7 March 2013
The victimization of Alex Wassell is an attempt by Chrysler management to intimidate opposition to the new Alternative Work Schedule.
India: Chief Minister threatens victimized Maruti Suzuki workers
By Arun Kumar and Jai Sharma, 2 March 2013
Haryana’s Chief Minister has threatened to order further arrests of victimized Maruti Suzuki workers.
UAW sanctions elimination of the eight-hour day at Chrysler
By Jerry White, 2 March 2013
With its support for the so-called Alternative Work Schedule, the UAW is overseeing the destruction of basic protections won by autoworkers 75 years ago.
Mass layoffs at Caterpillar in Belgium
By Christoph Dreier, 1 March 2013
On Thursday the management of the US construction equipment manufacturer Caterpillar announced that it was laying off 1,400 workers at its plant in Gosselies, Belgium.
IG Metall union seeks to finalize closure of GM-Opel Bochum plant
By Dietmar Henning, 1 March 2013
In the next week, the IG Metall, the works council and management at Opel want to seal the final closure of the Bochum Opel plant. Opel workers must not let this happen.
CEO of US tire firm denounces French Goodyear workers
By Pierre Mabut and Antoine Lerougetel, 27 February 2013
In a letter pledging to exploit underpaid Asian workers, the CEO of Titan denounced workers at Goodyear’s embattled plant in Amiens-Nord, France.
The way forward in the fight against the closure of GM-Opel’s Bochum plant
By Ulrich Rippert, 26 February 2013
The following statement from the Socialist Equality Party (PSG) in Germany is being distributed to auto workers at the GM-Opel plant in Bochum who are facing the shutdown of their factory.
German Socialist Alternative group aids union sellout at Opel
By Christoph Dreier, 19 February 2013
The Socialist Alternative group is aiding IG Metall by attempting to sow illusions that the union can be transformed into a fighting organisation.
India: Thousands join protests to support victimised Maruti Suzuki workers
By Arun Kumar, 19 February 2013
Thousands of workers participated in an “All-India Protest Day” to voice their support for victimized workers at Maruti Suzuki India’s car assembly plant in Manesar, Haryana.
Romanian auto workers face wage cuts and layoffs
By Markus Salzmann, 16 February 2013
Major auto companies have moved their production to Eastern Europe in order to profit from low wages and poor working conditions.
Unions suppress opposition to closure of Belgian Ford plant
By Dietmar Henning, 14 February 2013
In response to spontaneous walkouts by the workers, the unions intensified their cooperation with Ford.
Canadian Auto Workers union reopens CAMI-GM contract
By Carl Bronski, 13 February 2013
The Canadian Auto Workers union has pressured workers at the CAMI-GM assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, to reopen their contract so as to impose further concessions.
UK: Honda slashes nearly one third of jobs at Swindon
By Richard Duckworth, 8 February 2013
The announcement comes less than six months after British politicians, business circles and the media praised Honda to the skies and declared that Britain had “won the global car war”.
Germany: A new capitulation by the IG Metall union to Opel management
By Philipp Frisch, 4 February 2013
IG Metall union functionaries are betraying workers for the sake of their own advancement on Opel’s management board.
Profit bonanza for US auto companies
By Jerry White, 2 February 2013
The multi-billion-dollar profits announced by Chrysler and Ford are primarily the result of a reduction in labor costs and the heightening of the exploitation of auto workers.
India: Victimized Maruti Suzuki workers continue to protest
By Arun Kumar and Kranti Kumara, 2 February 2013
Victimized Maruti Suzuki India workers staged a rally last Sunday to demand their reinstatement and the immediate release of 150 workers who have been jailed on frame-up charges.
French Renault and PSA unions try to block fight against plant closures
By Antoine Lerougetel, 31 January 2013
The CGT and other unions are negotiating with PSA and Peugeot-Citroen on arrangements for plant closures and new competitiveness deals.
Renault and PSA Peugeot-Citroën workers in joint protest against factory closures
By Antoine Lerougetel and Pierre Mabut, 29 January 2013
Striking workers from the PSA car factory in Aulnay near Paris—which have been occupying the plant slated to be shut in 2014—joined workers at the Renault plant in Flins that is also threatened with closure
Union limits Indian auto workers to “go-slow” campaign over wages
By Arun Kumar, 28 January 2013
Over one thousand workers at Hero MotoCorp’s (HMCL) Gurgaon and Dharuhera plants in the northern Indian state of Haryana carried out a “go-slow” job action on January 23.
Forced overtime at Dundee, Michigan Chrysler plant as layoffs hit
By Shannon Jones, 26 January 2013
Workers at the Chrysler Dundee Engine Plant continue to face forced overtime after narrowly ratifying a sellout local contact.
German trade unions reject action to defend GM-Opel plant
By Dietmar Henning, 25 January 2013
A “solidarity evening” in Bochum, organised by the German Left Party, was aimed at covering up the role of the trade unions in the closure of the city’s GM-Opel auto plant.
GM Brazil strike
By Jerry White, 23 January 2013
Thousands of auto workers in Brazil carried out a 24-hour strike Tuesday at General Motors’ São José dos Campos plant, 50 miles northeast of Sao Paulo.
Renault announces 7,500 job cuts in France
By Antoine Lerougetel, 17 January 2013
On Tuesday French carmaker Renault announced large-scale job and pay cuts, as the auto industry slashes production.
Witch-hunt continues against Maruti Suzuki workers in India
By Arun Kumar and Kranti Kumara, 10 January 2013
Police have arrested another Maruti Suzuki worker in India, bringing the total number of framed-up and jailed auto workers to 150.
French auto industry prepares assault on jobs, working conditions
By Pierre Mabut, 7 January 2013
Auto job cuts in 2013 threaten the 10 percent of France’s workforce employed, directly or indirectly, in the industry.
GM-Opel: German Left Party leader contacts US ambassador
By Dietmar Henning, 4 January 2013
The Left Party has offered its services to assist in stifling any opposition by workers to the closure of the Opel plant in Bochum.
Germany’s Left Party and the closure of GM-Opel’s Bochum plant
By Dietmar Henning, 19 December 2012
The Left Party has sprung into action to divert workers’ opposition into a dead end and provide support to the IG Metall trade union.
Detroit area auto workers speak on passage of Michigan right-to-work law
By a WSWS reporting team, 15 December 2012
Reporting teams interviewed workers at two auto plants on the significance of the reactionary legislation passing in Michigan.
India: Thousands join convention and protest to defend victimised Maruti Suzuki workers
By Arun Kumar, 15 December 2012
The convention and march underscores growing militancy among auto workers in India who want to fight the slave labour conditions they are subjected to.
GM-Opel plant in Germany to be shut down
By Dietmar Henning, 12 December 2012
GM-Opel has announced the closure of the plant in Bochum, Germany, by 2016.
Behind the UAW’s “support” for the Maruti Suzuki workers
By Jerry White, 5 December 2012
The United Auto Workers union in the United States has issued a letter of protest against the firing and arrests of workers at a Maruti Suzuki India plant.
“The eight-hour day is a thing of the past”
UAW sanctions “alternative” work schedule at Chrysler
By Jerry White, 30 November 2012
In an effort to pump ever-greater productivity and profits out of auto workers, Chrysler is implementing a so-called Alternative Work Schedule (AWS) at its stamping, assembly and parts plants throughout the country.
India: Thousands protest victimization of Maruti Suzuki workers
By Arun Kumar, 14 November 2012
Victimized workers from Maruti-Suzuki’s Manesar car assembly plant staged a series of protests last week to demand their reinstatement and to fight for the release of 149 workers who have been beaten and tortured while in police custody.
Belgium: 20,000 protest against closure of Ford plant in Genk
By our reporters, 13 November 2012
The closure will throw 4,600 workers at the factory and more than 5,000 employees in related industries out of work.
“Many could have been tortured to death,” charges lawyer for jailed Maruti Suzuki India workers
By Arun Kumar, 13 November 2012
In an interview with the World Socialist Web Site, one of the lawyers who represents the 149 jailed Maruti Suzuki India workers described how many of them have been brutally tortured by police.
Germany: Opel auto plant on brink of closure
By Dietmar Henning, 5 November 2012
Works councils and the IG Metall trade union have deceived car workers about the closure of Opel’s Bochum plant.
SEP candidate Jerry White speaks to Chrysler workers in Detroit
By a WSWS reporting team, 3 November 2012
SEP presidential candidate Jerry White and a team of supporters spoke to Chrysler workers at a campaign rally Friday afternoon.
France’s New Anti-capitalist Party conceals plans for historic attack on European auto workers
By Alex Lantier, 30 October 2012
As European automakers and trade unions prepare job and wage cuts, the NPA is advancing justifications for their reactionary policies.
Ford Europe plant closures threaten thousands of jobs
By Dietmar Henning, 27 October 2012
Ford Europe announced the closure of three factories this week, threatening the jobs of tens of thousands of auto workers.
French government bails out automaker PSA
By Antoine Lerougetel and Alex Lantier, 27 October 2012
On Thursday the French government announced a €5 to 7 billion bailout of carmaker PSA Peugeot-Citroën.
Auto workers and the 2012 elections
Statement by Jerry White, SEP candidate for US president
25 October 2012
The following statement addressed to auto workers was issued by Jerry White, the Socialist Equality Party candidate for US president.
India: Jailed Maruti Suzuki workers subjected to torture
By Arun Kumar and Kranti Kumara, 23 October 2012
Indian authorities have tortured militant Maruti Suzuki workers who were jailed as part of a corporate-government conspiracy to convict them on murder charges.
Trade unions and management negotiate on Opel “recovery plan”
By Dietmar Henning, 20 October 2012
Following a slump in European sales GM subsidiaries in Germany and Britain face further cuts and plant closures.
Germany: Union agrees to flexible working at BMW
By Dietmar Henning, 15 October 2012
The IG Metall union and works council at BMW have agreed to flexible working on an unprecedented scale.
Fiat truck subsidiary Iveco to close five plants in Europe
By Michael Regens, 13 October 2012
Iveco workers face the same problem as workers throughout Germany and internationally: the corporatist collusion between unions and management to suppress any serious struggle to defend jobs.
UAW pushes through contract ratification at Chrysler Dundee, Michigan Engine Plant
By Shannon Jones, 6 October 2012
The United Auto Workers reports that members of Local 723 at the Chrysler Dundee, Michigan Engine Plant have ratified the same local contract agreement they rejected in August.
Global crisis hits German auto manufacturers
By Dietmar Henning, 28 September 2012
The effects of the global economic crisis are now being felt by leading top-end German auto manufacturers such as Daimler and Porsche, with their respective workforces expected to pay the price for declining profits.
UAW to hold revote at Chrysler Dundee, Michigan engine plant
By Shannon Jones, 26 September 2012
The UAW will hold a revote on the local contract agreement overwhelmingly voted down last month by workers at Chrysler’s Dundee Engine Plant.
Workers at French auto plant speak out against job cuts
By Antoine Lerougetel, 26 September 2012
PSA workers oppose management plans, backed by the government and the union bureaucracy, for job cuts and the closure of the Aulnay plant.
Ford Canada workers ratify concessions deal
By Carl Bronski, 25 September 2012
After Ford’s campaign of plant closing and mass layoff threats, in partnership with the Canadian government and the Canadian Auto Workers union, CAW members in Ontario voted to ratify a concessions-laden contract.
Unions leading race to bottom for British car workers
By Trevor Johnson, 25 September 2012
Britain’s trade unions have enabled significant cuts to car workers’ pay at the same time as enormous hikes in productivity.
SEP presidential candidate speaks to Ford Canada workers
By Shannon Jones, 25 September 2012
Socialist Equality Party presidential candidate Jerry White travelled to Windsor, Ontario Sunday with a campaign team to speak to Ford Canada workers voting on the concessions-laden contract negotiated by the Canadian Auto Workers. The four-year agreement accepted all of the major take-away demands of the auto companies including an expanded two-tier wage structure, cuts to pension, the elimination of cost of living allowances and a freeze on wages.
Oppose the Ford “pattern” of two-tier wages and concessions:
For a counteroffensive of Canadian and US auto workers!
By Socialist Equality Party (Canada), 22 September 2012
Workers at the Canadian operations of the Detroit Three should reject the sell-out contracts that the CAW has reached with Ford and GM, launch strike action and fight for the industrial and political mobilization of auto workers across North America.
European GM auto workers face US-style attacks
By Dietmar Henning, 20 September 2012
It is now virtually certain that Opel and Vauxhall workers will face the same sort of shock therapy administered to GM workers in the US.
CAW leadership bows to Ford Canada’s concessions demands
By Carl Bronski, 19 September 2012
The tentative agreement the Canadian Auto Workers has reached with Ford locks in all the cuts agreed to in 2009 and contains major new concessions.
Sartorius report: French government backs mass layoffs at auto maker PSA
By Pierre Mabut, 15 September 2012
The Socialist Party government accepted a report backing PSA’s plans for mass layoffs and factory closures.
CAW moves to meet Detroit Three’s demands for two tier-wages, other givebacks
By Carl Bronski, 14 September 2012
The Canadian Auto Workers union has agreed to a major expansion of two-tier wages and other concessions in ongoing contract negotiations with the Detroit Three automakers.
UAW calls off Jeep contract vote
By Shannon Jones, 12 September 2012
In the wake of the vote by Chrysler Dundee Engine Plant workers to reject their local contract in Michigan the United Auto Workers called off a scheduled local contract vote at the Jeep complex in Toledo, Ohio.
Detroit Three demand massive concessions from Canadian auto workers
By Carl Bronski, 12 September 2012
Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler are standing firm in their demand for sweeping contract concessions—including permanent two-tier wages and the scrapping of a defined pension benefits plan—from their more 20,000 Canadian workers.
Opposition to sellout contract by Chrysler workers wins support
By Shannon Jones, 3 September 2012
The stand taken by Chrysler Dundee Engine Plant workers, who overwhelmingly rejected a local contract last month, is winning broad support.
Support the Dundee, Michigan Chrysler workers
By Barry Grey, 27 August 2012
The Dundee workers’ rejection of a sellout UAW local contract is part of a growing national and international movement of workers against the old trade union organizations.
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