Ford workers strike at Russian plant
Nearly 1,400 workers at Ford’s only car assembly plant in Russia today held a one-day strike to demand more money for dangerous work assignments and other benefits.
Alexei Etmanov, head of the labour union at the plant in Vsevolozhsk, near St Petersburg, said the plant’s production line had stopped at midnight, and would continue beyond the 24-hour period if the company did not meet their demands.
Among workers’ demands was that the company stop using temporary workers, guarantee jobs for workers injured at the plant and extra pay and other benefits for harmful assignments, Etmanov said.
“If we don’t have any normal dialogue with the authorities, we’ll continue the strike for the near future,” he said.
Ford officials could not be reached for comment.
The Vsevolozhsk plant – Ford’s only one in Russia – produced about 60,000 cars last year, mainly the Focus model. NTV said daily losses during the strike could reach €2.98m.
Foreign car manufacturers have been eager to open assembly plants in Russia to reach the growing number of consumers in the country. Soaring world oil prices have boosted Russia’s economy, lifting living standards and enabling more people to buy cars.
