IndustriALL Case New Holland network meeting

The Fiat/Chrysler network meeting was followed by a one-day meeting of some 50 union delegates representing workers at Case New Holland (CNH), which manufactures agricultural and construction equipment. In November last year CNH and Fiat Industrial, which is part of the Fiat Group, entered into a merger agreement to combine their businesses. The new company will be based in the Netherlands.  

The participants, who also attended the Fiat Chrysler meeting, reported on the situation at CNH facilities in their respective countries. Concerns were expressed on the future of CNH in Europe in particular and the lack of proper information and consultation. The World Class Manufacturing (WCM) system was introduced to maximize productivity but it became clear from these first-hand reports that, in a number of cases, workers did not reap any benefit from it. Participants agreed to consolidate their links and promote the exchange of information among CNH workers worldwide, including workers in countries not represented at the meeting, and to join the week of action scheduled from 8-12 April 2013.

Strong emphasis was put on the need to maintain unity and solidarity faced with Fiat management attacks on worker and trade union rights.  CNH Global is doing well thanks to the know-how and the skills of its workforce.  Workers should be valued and treated with respect and dignity stated a delegate.  

CNH is the second largest maker of agricultural equipment trailing John Deere and the third largest maker of construction equipment following Caterpillar and Komatsu. The creation of a network at CNH was decided at the Construction and Mining Equipment & Agricultural Machinery meeting held in October 2012 as part of the activities of IndustriALL’s Mechanical Engineering Sector.  The participants decided to meet again next year following a similar pattern.