Auto workers fear Fiat's move on GM could mean job cuts in Polish plants Courtesy of Fiat

Unions representing Polish car workers were last week preparing to tackle any plant closures and jobs cuts that would result from the proposed Fiat takeover of General Motors Europe.

The move followed the Italian auto giant’s inking of a deal to take a 20 percent stake in US car maker Chrysler, which would rise to 35 percent and potentially 51 percent, and the leaking of an apparent strategy document in a German daily indicating the tie-up would result in the full or partial closure of 10 plants and the sacking of 18,000 employees.

In Poland, where both Fiat and GM have car factories, it is thought that the cuts would encompass the Ispol engine plant in Tychy, which is owned by General Motors and Isuzu.
The Solidarity Union said, though, there was no industrial reason to close Opel’s plant in Gliwice. “We have one of the best factories in Europe, so if politics don’t interfere, we shouldn’t have anything to worry about,” said Sławomir Ciekiera, head of Solidarity at Polish Opel.

President of auto sector market research firm Samar, Wojciech Drzewiecki, agreed that the Gliwice plant would likely be safe. “The plant in Gliwice, as one of Opel’s best facilities, as well as being relatively cheap, should survive the current turmoil – especially since it is preparing to manufacture a totally new model,” Drzewiecki told Puls Biznesu.

Fiat denied reports of looming factory closures and mass job losses, claiming that the leaked information was not obtained from inside Fiat, while GM refused to comment. (Reuters)