Bosch workers protest to defend jobs

EUROPE: More than 1,000 Bosch workers in seven countries at 30 production sites participated in a European action day on February 22, 2010 to defend their jobs.

The action, coordinated by the European Metalworkers' Federation (EMF) and the European works council from Bosch was in response to the closure of the Cardiff plant in the UK producing starters and generators where 900 workers are laid off in a structurally weakened region.

The metalworkers called for a coherent and consistent industrial policy and for socially responsible actions from Bosch.

Together with the European Works Council of Bosch, the EMF considers that 15 plant closures in Europe alone over the past 24 months have already caused hardship for thousands of workers.

Around a common slogan, "Enough is enough! Bosch workers in Europe defend their jobs", the workers took actions ranging from worker information sessions, to flyer drops and solidarity letter writing in Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Portugal and the Netherlands.

After plant closures the workers and their unions have vowed to make their fight visible and no longer just accept bargaining for severance packages.