Brazil Auto Indus Faces Union Strike Over Salary Dispute
September 09 2009 - 10:09AM
Dow Jones News
Brazil's entire automotive industry faces a labor strike this
week, with auto makers from Volkswagen AG (VLKAY) to General Motors
Co. a target starting Thursday, the Metalworkers Union, CNM, said
Wednesday.
Only CNM metal workers in Sao Paulo plan to strike. Weather
permitting, the strike will last for the remainder of the week,
On Wednesday, workers walked out of auto parts makers Gestamp,
Aethra S.p.A., Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Ford Motor Co. (F)
and Volkswagen. On Thursday, assembly line workers that are part of
CNM are scheduled to stop work during the afternoon shift only at
all of the auto makers in Sao Paulo.
CNM is trying to negotiate a pay raise above inflation. Last
week, the union rejected an offer from auto makers and auto parts
companies to keep wages in line with inflation of roughly 4.7%.
If the strike persists beyond next week, auto makers would be
forced to reduce production. CNM said the intention was not to
completely stop production on the assembly line.
-By Kenneth Rapoza, Dow Jones Newswires, 5511-2847-4541,
kenneth.rapoza@dowjones.com