Fiat in crucial week of Italian union talks
ITALIAN carmaker Fiat has entered a crucial week of talks over the future of its historic Mirafiori plant ahead of a self-imposed Christmas deadline to decide whether to stick to planned investments.
Fiat unveiled a plan at the end of November to invest more than €1bn (£840m) in its Turin Mirafiori plant to build top-range SUVs if unions agreed to more flexible shifts.
The plan was part of chief executive Sergio Marchionne’s “Fabbrica Italia” project under which Fiat may invest €20bn in loss-making Italian plants to boost productivity.
However, talks between Italy’s top industrial group and unions over a plan to relaunch Mirafiori stalled over a labour contract dispute.
Union representatives said at the time unions were split, with some ready to sign the deal, some asking for more time and the left-leaning Fiom union against it.
“We are not against a separate contract for the car sector,” said Luigi Angeletti, secretary general of moderate trade union Uil said yesterday.
“But drafting takes time and we need to reach a deal on Mirafiori by the end of the week.”