FCA-PSA merger, the FIOM's point of view – Mondo Auto

FCA-PSA merger, Conte: "Guaranteeing production and employment"

Do you fear that the merger between Fca and Psa (Peugeot group) may lead to redundancies or the closure or downsizing of factories in Italy?
"It's a speech we don't even want to consider. The statement of the two groups ensures that the occupation will be guaranteed and that there will be no factory closures. But we want to discuss what happens to the installed production capacity in Italy, because now, compared to a potential of 1.4 million vehicles per year, half is produced. (…) ".
Which are the areas most at risk of production overlap?
"Those in the mid-size car segment. But I imagine that the merger will do it to increase sales and to expand markets, investing in technologies and new platforms ».
What are you asking the government for?
"Let me convene the ownership of FCA, which is still Italian, and the unions and ask the car manufacturer about the industrial plans linked to the merger. The government cannot limit itself to acting as a spectator of the decisions of the multinationals. It must play an active role in the future of the car industry in this country and in defense of employment. Exactly as the governments of France and Germany do ».
(…)
And in Italy? Will you make common front with Fim-cisl and Uilm-uil? The Fiom seems to have a less available attitude towards the Fca-psa merger.
«Fiom is aware that there is a difficulty that derives from being still outside the FCA work contract. But we share with Fim and Uilm the will to confront ourselves, to demand the government's commitment, to defend the occupation and to claim an industrial plan that indicates a development perspective. I hope we will be united because we are stronger together ".
Is it not true then that the Fiom is less available?
«The Fiom has an attitude of confrontation. We are not opposed to the merger. But Fiom not only trusts the ads, it wants to go into it. With the company and the government, to which we recognize that we have opened a table on the automotive sector. Our goal is to arrive at an operation that is not only for the benefit of the shareholders, as happened, for example, in the case of the sale of Magneti Marelli, but also of the workers and the country (…) ".
Has the company called you?
"I think he will do it in the next few weeks. But above all I hope you call the unions all at the same table and not the Fiom at a separate table ».
Does not the fact that the French State is a shareholder of Psa risk conditioning any restructuring?
"The French state made the right choice, being in the PSA shareholding as in that of Renault. This allows him to monitor employment in France. Let's not forget that the CEO of the new FCA-PSA group will be Tavares, CEO of Psa. He will decide on industrial and employment policies. This is why we insist that the Italian government does its part. We expect a change of pace. Otherwise we will react ».(…)

Enrico Marro, Il Corriere della Sera