Unions demonstrate at Conti plant against proposed production changes

HERSTAL, Belgium (March 13)—Belgian labor unions, backed by the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers´ Union, demonstrated outside Continental A.G.´s tire plant in Herstal March 12 to protest Conti´s plan to phase out truck tires production at the facility. Unions want the company to delay the decision until year-end to allow more time for talks about the plant´s future. But Conti has rejected this proposal, the ICEM said in a prepared statement. Phasing out truck tires at Herstal would result in job losses for most of the 700-plus workers. The factory is one of Conti´s most modern facilities, and workers have accepted job cuts and pay reductions since 1997 to secure its future, according to Central Generale, one of the Belgian unions, in the ICEM statement. The ICEM has launched a worldwide solidarity campaign in support of the Belgian Continental workers, ICEM General Secretary Fred Higgs said.