GME employees at 15 sites in 8 countries stopped work for several hours in solidarity with the striking GME workers in Antwerp (Belgium) and in support of their European demands.

This European Action Day was a sign of their determination to oppose GME’s strategy vis-à-vis its employees. Although management had agreed last week to the EEF representatives’ demand not to close a plant in Europe, the GME employees still demonstrated today for the following objectives:

· A decent production volume so as to secure a sustainable future for the Antwerp plant

· Reaching an agreement with its employee representatives at European level which would secure the viability of the European plants until 2016.

“Following this action day and the clear signal given by the trade unions and the GME employees, the EMF demands that GME urgently reconsiders its attitude and respects all its commitments vis-à-vis its employees” stated EMF General Secretary, Peter Scherrer.

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PRESS 28/2007

The EMF is the representative body defending the interests of workers in the European metal industry. The EMF has a mandate for the external representation and coordination of the metalworkers' unions and a mandate to engage in bargaining at European level.

For further information please contact:

Editor, Peter Scherrer, EMF General Secretary, Tel.: + 32 2 227 10 16