Strikes at Fiat and Letter of Solidarity from Poland

A series of strikes has been taking place this week at Fiat plants throughout Italy.

Today there were strikes related to Fiat's decision to cut bonuses this year.

Tomorrow, Fiom and some other unions are calling for a four-hour strike throughout Italy. The strike is in protest of the sacking of four unionists in retaliation for not signing the Pomigliano deal.

Workers in Tychy, Poland were angry to learn that a unionist at the Mirafiori factory in Turin, Pino Capozzi, was fired for sending out the letter they had written using email at work. They send the following letter of solidarity:

Solidarity from Poland

Colleagues at Fiat Italy!

We admire and support your struggle against serious attacks on your working conditions and your basic human rights and freedoms.

The firing of Pino Capozzi shows the true nature of the company we are working for. It is a clear attack on workers' right to protest and dissent.

We are witnessing the growth of a new totalitarianism - corporate power. Where working people are too weak to fight back, it already is a system of terror.

Unfortunately our company unions decided that we should stay quiet like slaves and beg Fiat not to take our jobs. But some of us will work very, very slowly tomorrow as a small sign of solidarity.

Tychy, July 15, 2010