Strike stalls all production for Fiat

An ongoing workers’ strike has ground production at Italian automaker Fiat to a complete halt, bellaciao.org reports.

Striking metalworkers union members, demanding better pay and shifts, have blocked off roads around a Melfi, Italy, plant to prevent parts from reaching other Fiat plants in Italy.

Latest company figures show that the strike has prevented Fiat, headquartered in Turin, Italy, from producing a planned 16,300 vehicles. Fiat is losing production of 4,000 more cars a day.

An Alfa Romeo plant in Pomigliano, near Naples, suspended production, after production halted at Fiat plants in Turin and Termine Imerese. Another plant at Val di Sangro has also stopped production.

Three other trade unions announced they had signed a preliminary agreement with Fiat last week regarding shifts patterns at the Melfi plant, while more talks are scheduled for May.

Workers at the Fiat plant in Termini Imerese have sent nearly $30,000 (25,000) euros to support the Melfi workers, and donations have also come from other plants.

Fiat said earlier this week that it would be holding talks with all unions involved in the strike.

http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040430-022537-8351r.htm