Ford Workers in Belgium Launch Strike

Voice of America
October 6, 2003

Workers at a Ford Motor Company plant in Belgium started a 24-hour strike Monday, protesting 3,000 layoffs and cancellation of a billion dollar upgrade to the plant.

The job cuts were announced last Wednesday and reduced the plant's workforce by one-third. Union members responded by blocking deliveries of parts and supplies to the plant in the city of Genk.

Unions are calling for a return to work Tuesday, but expect continued intermittent labor actions over the next few days.

Workers say they worry the layoffs will continue and cut even deeper in a region already hard-hit by a declining number of industrial jobs.