General Motors (GM) metallurgists in the United States began an indefinite strike on Sunday. The strike call marks the first national stoppage at GM in this country in 12 years, with 49,000 workers joining the company’s three plants, which demand better wages and working conditions.

The strike is organized by the UAW, an entity representing the metallurgists. Since 2008, several deals have been signed on the company’s hardships, yet wages, working conditions and jobs have fallen dramatically. Now, while the company’s profitability is only increasing, workers are still seeking to recover some of what was lost during this period.

“We defended General Motors when they needed us most. We are now united and in solidarity with our members, their families and the communities where we work and live, ”said UAW Vice President Terry Dittes.

The claim agenda includes salary readjustment, affordable health insurance, profit sharing, job security, a defined path to the seniority level of temporary workers.

The strike decision came a day after UAW Vice President Terry Dittes notified General Motors leadership that the union would not agree to extend the collective bargaining agreements.

The union has been confronting the company to halt the closure of vehicle factories in Ohio and Michigan and says metalworkers deserve higher salaries after years of the automaker’s record profits in North America.

CSP-Conlutas has sent a motion to support the struggle of these workers. “At this time, at several GM plants around the world, there are struggles against restructuring plans, such as in South Korea, Mexico, Colombia and Brazil. Solidarity is important to all mobilizations ”, reinforces the Central.

 

Read our support message:

 

Motion in solidarity with General Motors workers strike in the United States

CSP-Conlutas expresses international solidarity and support for the strike of General Motors workers in the United States, which began on Sunday (15).

It is the first strike in 12 years and occurs amid a strong restructuring, responsible for deepening the precarious working conditions in the company.

More than 49,000 striking workers fight for fair wages, affordable health insurance, profit sharing, job security and other important claims.

We are looking forward to this strike. Thousands of workers are mobilizing on pickets and taking their own hands in the conduct of this struggle. All our support to the metalworkers and members of the UAW (United Auto Workers) union.

At this time, at various GM plants around the world, there are struggles against restructuring plans such as South Korea, Mexico, Colombia and Brazil. Solidarity for all mobilizations is important.

The demands of our American GM counterparts are just and we want strength in the strike pickets.

– International solidarity with GM workers in the USA!

– Against restructuring plans, plant closures and layoffs around the world!

CSP-Conlutas

 

Read the support motion from labour unions in Brazil:

 

International Solidarity General Motors workers strike in US

We, all trade union federations in Brazil, express our support and solidarity to GM workers in the US on strike for fair wages, affordable health insurance, profit sharing, job security and other important claims.

The restructuring imposed by the company has caused huge losses to workers. The Brazilian unions express their full support for this strike and the UAW (United Auto Workers) that is ahead of the pickets line and the struggle for resistance in defense our rights.

We will do everything possible in active solidarity with this movement to make it victorious!

Sao Paulo, September 15, 2019

⁃ Força Sindical
⁃ CUT
⁃ CSP-Conlutas
⁃ CTB
⁃ UGT
⁃ NCST
⁃ CGTB
⁃ CSB
⁃ Intersindical ( Central da classe trabalhadora)
⁃ Intersindical (instrumento de luta é organização)