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IMF GM Action Group<br>takes off

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6 June, 1999Its objective is to achieve closer cooperation between IMF-affiliated unions at international level.

GENEVA/DETROIT: Because General Motors is using its global reach to play workers in different plants and countries off against one another, it is more important than ever that unions form closer links and intensify their cooperation on the international level. This was a key part of the Conclusions adopted by the IMF Action Group on General Motors, which had its first meeting in Detroit, USA, on May 19-20. To achieve closer cooperation, delegates in the Action Group - from IMF-affiliated unions in Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Sweden and the U.S, and representing the overwhelming majority of GM workers worldwide - declared that:
· our organisations represent the interest of workers in General Motors in improving working conditions and living standards and will support each other in pursuing these interests;
· we will reinforce international union cooperation and utilise organisational structures to promote the exchange of views and experiences concerning GM among our organisations;
· we stand for democracy and the right of workers to form unions free of employer or government influence and, according to national practice, to establish works councils;
· we will inform each other concerning all developments and changes that may be of relevance to employees in GM's global operations;
· we will not allow General Motors to play us off against one another, and we will stand united in solidarity whenever there are discussions, agreements and conflicts with management, including strikes.