European Trade Union Organisations condemn General Motors decision to close Opel plant in Antwerp

Brussels, 21/01/2010

John Monks, General Secretary of the ETUC stressed “This is a massive blow to manufacturing in Belgium and I would urge GM to reconsider its decision and to do all it can to save these jobs in Antwerp”.

The decision is based on political grounds, rather than sound economic logic since the small SUV, which GM promised would be manufactured in Antwerp, is now going to be produced in South Korea” said Peter Scherrer, General Secretary of the EMF. The European metalworkers stand by their firm commitment to fight against any plant closures and forced redundancies in the GM Europe group.

For further information please contact:

Editor, Peter Scherrer, EMF General Secretary +32(0)222 7 10 10

ETUC Head of Press and Communications , +32 (0)2 224 0430