Fiat Vs Unions. Round 3

Cammy Corrigan
by Cammy Corrigan

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how Sergio Marchionne was successful in getting the majority of the unions at his Naples plant to sign a new work agreement. This was supposed to herald in a new era in Italian work practices and pacem in terris. Well, it seems that Fiat wants to press the issue home to the unions. Reuters reports that Fiat is so determined to teach Italian unions at their Pomigliano plant that their working practices are not sustainable, that they are now going to some extreme lengths. Fiat is now going to set up a new company to manage the plant near Naples. Doesn’t sound extreme, right? Well, there’s more.

The new company is being set up purposely so that it doesn’t fall under the purview (note to Bertel, please leave this link in!) [ED: Why would I take it out?] of the Confindustria business union. This means that the Pomigliano plant will not be covered by national job contracts. Which means this shifts more power to Fiat in terms of flexibility of contracts. Unsurprisingly, the only union to voice its displeasure was FIOM, which, if you remember, was the only union not to sign up to the new working agreement which Fiat offered to the workers. In fact, Maurizio Landini, FIOM union representative said that they would take Fiat to court to try and block Fiat from imposing these “discriminatory” (his word, not mine) hiring practices.

Looks like this poker game might turn into a shoot out and that never ends pretty. Just ask “Wild” Bill Hickok.

PS: Setting up supposedly independent companies to skirt job contracts and more is a European sport. One of the biggest offenders is the German government. When the German railroad turned from a government agency into a supposedly private venture – with 100 percent of the shares owned by the government – the “private” venture was split into some 525 “independent” companies.


Cammy Corrigan
Cammy Corrigan

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  • Stingray Stingray on Aug 01, 2010

    Chrysler and the UAW should see themselves in this mirror. I always thought my Argentinian bosses at the italian truck assembly plant here were brutal. THIS is brutal.

  • Lokki Lokki on Aug 02, 2010

    The real question: Would you buy a [s]used[/s] car from these guys?

  • Marcr My wife and I mostly work from home (or use public transit), the kid is grown, and we no longer do road trips of more than 150 miles or so. Our one car mostly gets used for local errands and the occasional airport pickup. The first non-Tesla, non-Mini, non-Fiat, non-Kia/Hyundai, non-GM (I do have my biases) small fun-to-drive hatchback EV with 200+ mile range, instrument display behind the wheel where it belongs and actual knobs for oft-used functions for under $35K will get our money. What we really want is a proper 21st century equivalent of the original Honda Civic. The Volvo EX30 is close and may end up being the compromise choice.
  • Mebgardner I test drove a 2023 2.5 Rav4 last year. I passed on it because it was a very noisy interior, and handled poorly on uneven pavement (filled potholes), which Tucson has many. Very little acoustic padding mean you talk loudly above 55 mph. The forums were also talking about how the roof leaks from not properly sealed roof rack holes, and door windows leaking into the lower door interior. I did not stick around to find out if all that was true. No talk about engine troubles though, this is new info to me.
  • Dave Holzman '08 Civic (stick) that I bought used 1/31/12 with 35k on the clock. Now at 159k.It runs as nicely as it did when I bought it. I love the feel of the car. The most expensive replacement was the AC compressor, I think, but something to do with the AC that went at 80k and cost $1300 to replace. It's had more stuff replaced than I expected, but not enough to make me want to ditch a car that I truly enjoy driving.
  • ToolGuy Let's review: I am a poor unsuccessful loser. Any car company which introduced an EV which I could afford would earn my contempt. Of course I would buy it, but I wouldn't respect them. 😉
  • ToolGuy Correct answer is the one that isn't a Honda.
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