Worker pushing a trolley at a GM Halol plant.
Seems like General Motors can’t run from labor unrest.
Some 1,600 workers have struck at the GM Halol plant in India, which produces Cruze and Aveo vehicles.
Workers paid 47 to 92 cents an hour are claiming they have been shortchanged on their overtime pay and that more than 269 workers have suffered spinal cord injuries due to unsafe working conditions.
Meanwhile, GM’s local plant management has unilaterally imposed a mandatory 20 percent increase in daily production goals, which labor advocates claim will only result in more work injuries. Managers reportedly also are attempting to replace strikers with non-union replacement workers.
So far, the workers have been out on strike for three weeks. They want their Gujarat Kamdar Mandal union recognized with a collective contract so workers finally have a voice.
The Indian workers also have appealed for help from workers in the U.S.,
”In today’s global economy, we either respond to appeals for solidarity from our sisters and brothers across the developing world, to raise standards, wages and respect for worker rights—and lift all ships—or, we can do nothing, and sink together,” said Charles Kernaghan, of the New York-based Institute for Global Labour & Human Rights, which is organizing a campaign on behalf of the Indian Workers.
Kernaghan is also urging people to sign a letter to GM chairman Dan Akerson, asking him to intervene directly in the unfolding dispute.
The text of the letter reads:
“Dear Mr. Akerson:
We urge you to immediately intervene with local management at General Motors Halol plant in India, which produces Cruze and Aveo vehicles.
We urge you to inform management at the Halol factory that General Motors insists upon respect for internationally recognized worker rights standards and safe working conditions. Please also inform Halol management that General Motors workers in the United States are organized by the United Auto Workers union. Rather than threatening and attacking the striking workers and their Gujurat Kamdar Mandal union, Halol management should sit down in good faith with the union and negotiate a fair collective contract.
We would appreciate it very much if you could keep us posted regarding positive progress at the GM Halol plant, the letter says in part.”
The problems in the Halol plant come at an awkward moment for GM. On a local front, the maker is pushing hard to expand its presence in India, a huge market that many analysts believe will eventually echo the massive growth GM has been able to tap into in China.
Meanwhile, the maker is preparing to start new contracts with the United Auto Workers Union in the U.S. Though the government’s GM bailout barred the UAW from striking it nonetheless could use other tactics to pressure the company.
In fact, some workers picketed the Detroit plant producing the Chevrolet Volt, this past week, over a labor dispute.
It is unclear whether the UAW will step in to pressure GM to accept the Indian union. But the American Autoworkers are readying a campaign – possibly including a global boycott — to pressure foreign makers operating in the U.S. to recognize the UAW. So, not taking a stand in the Halol strike could leave American labor leaders open for criticism.