Delegates from car industry unions across the globe met in Detroit in November 2010 to discuss the major issues confronting automotive workers internationally. 13 countries were represented in the meeting, covering almost every automotive company in the world. The meeting was called by the International Metalworkers’ Federation Automotive working group.
In every country, the issues are the same: precarious work, health & safety conditions, and wages.
These issues have resulted in a recent wave of rolling strikes in the industry. The strikes are significant, involving large numbers of workers, and largely ignored by the capitalist media.
To name only a few of the recent strikes:
- September 2007: USA – General Motors
- January 2009: Venezuela – Mitsubishi
- July 2009: Korea – Ssangyong
- February 2010: Italy – Fiat
- May 2010: China – Honda
- June 2010: India – Hyundai
- August 2010: South Africa – all autoworkers
- October 2010: India – General Motors
- November 2010: Portugal – General strike
- November 2010: Korea – Hyundai
In each case, the workers were organised in unions. In each case, the companies attempted to bust the unions, and in each case they failed.
Workers in each industry in different countries have much more in common with each other than with employers in their own country. These workers across the world are fighting the same battle against the same companies. The automotive industry benefits from precarious employment and casualisation because that way they do not have to pay us when we are sick, when we are on vacation, when our families need us, when we are on maternity leave, when we are bereaved, when our lives require us to take time away from work. Precarious employment and casualisation are the main instruments of the capitalists’ race for profits.
Right now, many car industry unions are in dispute, including:
- Mitsubishi workers in Venezuela. During the strike in January 2009, two workers were shot dead by police. The workers have continued fighting amid more sackings and victimisation of union activists. Support the Mitsubishi workers and their struggle by sending your solidarity messages here.
- Hyundai workers in Korea are on strike. Initially it was the sub-contracted workers who were striking, however, permanent workers have joined them. Support the Hyundai workers and their struggle by sending solidarity messages here.
Delegates from car industry unions across the globe met in Detroit in November 2010 to discuss the major issues confronting automotive workers internationally. 13 countries were represented in the meeting, covering almost every automotive company in the world. The meeting was called by the International Metalworkers’ Federation Automotive working group.
In every country, the issues are the same: precarious work, health & safety conditions, and wages.
These issues have resulted in a recent wave of rolling strikes in the industry. The strikes are significant, involving large numbers of workers, and largely ignored by the capitalist media.
To name only a few of the recent strikes:
- September 2007: USA – General Motors
- January 2009: Venezuela – Mitsubishi
- July 2009: Korea – Ssangyong
- February 2010: Italy – Fiat
- May 2010: China – Honda
- June 2010: India – Hyundai
- August 2010: South Africa – all autoworkers
- October 2010: India – General Motors
- November 2010: Portugal – General strike
- November 2010: Korea – Hyundai
In each case, the workers were organised in unions. In each case, the companies attempted to bust the unions, and in each case they failed.
Workers in each industry in different countries have much more in common with each other than with employers in their own country. These workers across the world are fighting the same battle against the same companies. The automotive industry benefits from precarious employment and casualisation because that way they do not have to pay us when we are sick, when we are on vacation, when our families need us, when we are on maternity leave, when we are bereaved, when our lives require us to take time away from work. Precarious employment and casualisation are the main instruments of the capitalists’ race for profits.
Right now, many car industry unions are in dispute, including:
- Mitsubishi workers in Venezuela. During the strike in January 2009, two workers were shot dead by police. The workers have continued fighting amid more sackings and victimisation of union activists. Support the Mitsubishi workers and their struggle by sending your solidarity messages here.
- Hyundai workers in Korea are on strike. Initially it was the sub-contracted workers who were striking, however, permanent workers have joined them. Support the Hyundai workers and their struggle by sending solidarity messages here.
