First signs of the interaction between Opel and its Bochum workforce getting nasty. Today, Opel workers in Bochum stopped the lines for several hours to attend a so-called “information session” with the works council, Germany’s Automobilwoche [sub] says.
Workers and works council have not agreed that the production of the Zafira will be moved to Rüsselsheim at the end of 2014. They want to know how much Opel will pay in severance, and whether there will be other jobs for the more than 3,000 workers. The move of the Zafira production from Bochum to Rüsselsheim will cost Opel about $130 million, said Rainer Einenkel, head of the works council.
Technically, these information sessions are not a strike. There could be more “information sessions” if there are no answers. Yesterday, Opel said it will keep the spare-parts distribution center in Bochum open until 2016 at its plant in Bochum, Bloomberg says. This in fulfillment of a contract with a logistics company not as a concession to the unions.
Solidarity is stronger on the Continent than Stateside.
Looks like they intend to draw some blood even while taking their last breaths.
Vampires are undead.
Oh Lord! If the UAW had done something like this we’d have 70+ comments. At least 69 of the 70 comments would be “the usual suspects”.
Keep it up and Girsky will just have the whole place bulldozed, guys.
Something tells me that Opel dealers aren’t sweating a potential lack of Zafiras.
Its not like they have anything to lose.