Opel Spanish Workers Threaten to Strike

The Opel-Magna deal still hangs in the balance this week, with problems intensifying in Spain, one of the few regions were Magna did not manage to get the support of the local Opel workers. Today, the Spanish have began threatening that a strike may come in Zaragoza, with today's union meeting being crucial to the course of action to be taken.

"A strike is possible," Jose Juan Arceiz, head of the workers' committee at the Zaragooza plant was quoted as saying by Autonews. "Magna's latest proposals are still insufficient, and although there has been some progress (on the industrial plan) for the long term, all of the unions consider the short term offer to be insufficient."

Magna's proposal for the Spanish plant calls for huge production cuts, most of which will be transferred to Germany. The Canadians intend to layoff in between 1,300 and 1,650 jobs at the Zaragoza facility. As part of the negotiations, Magna agreed to return Corsa production to Spain, but only in 2013 and at 72 percent of the current level.

The conflicting situation in Spain, as well as the intervention of the European Union, have forced GM scramble for solutions. After the 11th hour failure of the Saturn-Panske deal, GM is taking all precautions in Opel's case and is now said to look into ways on how to keep the German brand.

According to rumors surfacing yesterday, if the workers believe Magna is bad news, they should take a look at what GM has plans. Even if no figures are available, GM remaining in control of Opel may mean deeper cost cutting measures, including plant closures.