GERMANY: After a three week strike workers, their union IG Metall and the Works Council at Automotive Lighting in Reutlingen, Germany secured 130 jobs.

The strike began on January 26 in response to a management decision on November 27, 2009 to relocate production to other sites.

Initially the management refused to negotiate on this issue, but under pressure from the strike action they changed their position and the conflict ended successfully.

The key terms of the agreement includes:

• No lay-offs until the end of 2015
• Continued use of one production line
• The creation of a joint working group to elaborate a sustainable concept for the future of the site in Reutlingen
• Agreement to strengthen competence in becoming the leaders in developing future technology in the field of light conductors

IG Metall and the Works Council believe the outcome is very positive for the workers and is the result of the combined efforts of the nearly 100 per cent unionized workforce.