Company restructuring: the GME case

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Company restructuring the GME case
Isabelle Barthès, EMF senior adviser
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Background

• GM worlds largest automotive group
• Restructuring an ongoing process at GME since
  mid 90s
• European Employee Forum set up in 1996 (D, S, UK,
  E, B, Pl, P, Fin, F, A, I)
• Turning point alliance between GM and Fiat in
  2000
• ? first European framework agreement

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The GME restructuring the Trollhättan/
Rüsselsheim case (2004)

• 2000 GM took full ownership of Saab
• GME 5 consecutive years losses
• 09.2004 GM announces 12 000 jobs cuts in
  European
• Shock and storm of protests
• Immediat reaction by EMF and EEF
• Building experience since 2000

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The Trollhättan/ Rüsselsheim case course of
event (9.2004-12.2004)

• Restructuring plan announced via the press
• Reaction of the EMF and Swedish unions no to
  social dumping
• 16.9.2004 European trade union coordination
  group meeting
• ? political plateform basic demands
  negotiation of a European framework agreement
• 01.10.2004 Copenhagen declaration

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The Trollhättan/ Rüsselsheim case course of
event (9.2004-12.2004)

• 14.10.2004 GME press communique cut employment
  in Europe by 20
• Same day 2nd meeting of the coordination group
• ? action day
• 19.10.2005 Action day 50 000 workers
  participated European-wide
• 25.10.2005 first draft of a framework agreement
  rejected

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The Trollhättan/ Rüsselsheim case course of
event (9.2004-12.2004)

• 24.11.2005 coordination group
• ? 2nd draft rejected
• ? decision to freeze national negotiations
• ? new action day envisaged
• Attempt by management to played off workers
  against each other
• 7.12.2005 3rd draft agreement
• 8.12.2005 Agreement signed
• Implementation at national level follow-up
  meetings

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The Trollhättan/ Rüsselsheim case the lessons to
be drawn

• No solution can be found at national level
• Pressure from the employers to play off workers
  against each other
• ? European response ensure trade union and
  workers unity
• Restructuring in a socially responsible way

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The Trollhättan/ Rüsselsheim case the lessons to
be drawn

• EMF key points
• Information and consultation at European level
• European trade union coordination group
• Political plateform
• European framework agreement (solutions
  acceptable for all)
• European mobilisation