United Auto Workers President Bob King, taking a page from the recent globalization efforts by the domestic automakers, has announced that the UAW for Chrysler and its Fiat counterpart will be joining other labor unions worldwide to form a global union network. The purpose, states King, is for members to exchange information and best work practices including the protection of workers’ rights, worker ergonomics, and workplace safety.
King also stressed such networks are interested in ensuring the success of their companies and the unions will not collectively bargain as one united unit.
“We have more of a vested interest than any other stakeholder in the company and the long-term success of the company,” he said during a conference call with media.
The Chrysler/Fiat union network will also reportedly include Italian truck and tractor manufacturer Fiat Industrial. Unions from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Serbia, and Spain are also expected to join. Global union networks already exist with Ford and General Motors, who do not officially recognize them. King stressed the UAW will continue to bargain separately with them and Chrysler in the labor talks later this year.
The global union network is one in a latest series of moves by the UAW, which tried to unionize workers at Honda and Toyota last year.
Source: Reuters
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