Global Player General Motors The effect of globalization on the various plants spread all over the world Daniel Beckmann & Marje Brütt

The structure General information on GM The different brands International activities in 2004 The 4 plants in comparison: Lansing, Bochum, Eisenach, Gliwice Consequences and problems Berthold Huber‘s opinion and theories Sources: Spiegel Special Globalization - The new world

General information An American corporation producing engines and automobiles World‘s largest auto company Manufacturing facilities in 33 countries 284,000 employees around the world Rick Wagoner is the Chairman

The different brands Buick in China Chevrolet in Brazil, South Africa and Middle East Daewoo in South Korea Hummer and Saturn in the US and Canada Opel in Europe Pontiac in the US Vauxhall in the UK Saab and Cadillac worldwide

International activities in 2004 GM North AmericaGM Europe Plants30 statesGermany, UK, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Spain Car sales5.5 mn1.7 mn Employees181,00061,000 Profit$ 1.6 bn Loss$ 976 mn BrandsBuick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn Cadillac, Chevrolet, Saab, Opel, Vauxhall HeadquartersDetroitZurich

GM worldwide

Lansing The employees 3,000 employees Average age of 48 Annual salary of $ 60,000 + benefits and health insurance 5 weeks vacations Majoritiy is member of the United Auto Workers The plant Old plant was shut down in 2004 New one was built at city‘s periphery 3 shifts at the same time

Bochum The employees of paint stop: 2,200€ monthly Everey 22 month they are sent to a health resort Majority is member of the IG Metall The plant: Opel plant since 1966 The new Zafira series

Eisenach The employees: About 3,500 from former 10,000 98% are “eastern german“ Average age of 41 Corridore shift costs an employee about 300€ The plant: After reunification the most modern plant in Europe Capacitiy of 175,000 cars a year Decreased production from 36 to 28 cars an hour Manufacturing the Corsa and Astra

Gliwice Construction in ,500 employees with an average age of 32 Mean salary roundabout 700€ a month No need of union As in Bochum production of new Opel Zafira

Consequences and problems coping outsourcing and crisis, employees are disadvantaged:  wages decrease  jobs are cut  bonus reduced Lean hierarchie improved Introduction of GM-GMS

Berthold Huber‘s opinion and theories „the pressures are unbelievable“ Negotiations concerning European workers to undercut one another  unemployment and redundancies Adaption of wages More work for the same pay Flexibility is needed Industrial jobs have no future in Germany

Berthold Huber‘s opinion and theories Worker councils can ensure compliance from their management “What we take for granted here is actually a matter of life and death in some countries.“ Alliances of unions transcending national interests