28 April 2006
Volkswagen’s management announced that it had started to take the necessary measures to transfer part of the Polo production from its factory of Landaben, near Pampelune (Navarre) towards other factories of the group, in Eastern Europe, probably in Bratislava (Slovakia). (Réf. 06417)
28 April 2006
The three European trade-union federations (FECCIA, FECER, EMCEF) gathered a working group, last 26 April, to prepare a possible transnational collective negotiation within the French oil group Total, on swarming and support for SME. (Réf. 06416)
26 April 2006
Already copied by four regions (Bade-Wurtemberg, Hesse, Osnabrück/Emsland and Thüringe), the agreement adopted 22 April 2006 by IG-Metall and the employers’ organization Metall NRW in Düsseldorf (North Rhineland-Westphalia) was described “as historical” by many observers (see our article n°6400). Here are the main innovations. (Ref. 06408)
25 April 2006
Trade union federations of chemistry, paper, wood, building, electricity and of communications are planning a merger in a few months. The future organisation would gather 283 000 members together. (Ref. 06406)
24 April 2006
Press review from 17 to 21 April 2006. All British newspapers reacted, Wednesday 19 April, to the announcement the day before of the closing of the PSA factory in Ryton, close to Coventry. The media deplores a new hard blow for the car industry. It was an excellent occasion for the British press to compare the French and English social models. (Ref. 06398)
24 April 2006
Press review from 17 to 21 April 2006. The threat of a hard strike in the German metal branch and the comments on the meeting of Volkswagen’ board of directors dominated the news in the German press this week. (Ref. 06397)
21 April 2006
The Dutch Unions’ Federation (FNV) and the Christians Unions’ Federation (CNV) called for a 24-hour strike at the Nedcar’s car assembly plant on April, 19th. The social movement will be extended next week, for two days this time, if the head does not offer more guarantees for the future. (Ref.06392)
21 April 2006
Contrary to expectations, the meeting of Volkswagen’s board of directors did not bring more details on the company’s reorganization plan. (Ref. 06391)
21 April 2006
Reactions have been flowing since the announcement, last 18 April, of the closing of the PSA factory in Ryton (see our article n°06380). Trade unions are ready to act, but the head of the government, Tony Blair, has not reacted. (Ref. 06390)
19 April 2006
Peugeot SA decided to close the British factory of Ryton which employs 2 300 people. The site which produces the 206 model, close to Coventry, will be stopped mid 2007. (Ref. 06380)
