It’s hard to imagine some of GM’s suppliers in Sweden not going out in solidarity with their friends at Saab should things go sour, especially after this event.
As reported earlier, Saab workers in Trollhattan rallied outside the factory gates today.
We’ve received a few photos already:
Click to enlarge.
And a new one…..
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Our friend on the ground, who sent those photos indicated to me that it was a very powerful rally, with some chants breaking out saying “Stpehen, go home” – referring to Stephen Taylor, the British liquidator from Alix Partners appointed by GM to lead the liquidation process.
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GT.se are carrying this photo and story:
The sign says “Save Saab from Gangster Motors”
Banners outside the factory spoke for themselves: “SAVE Saab from GM – Gangster Motors”, “Saab has a soul, the GM?” And “save jobs at Saab.”
- All are here, all 3 500 workers, both factory workers and officials, “says Borje Andersson, GT’s reporter on the spot.
During the manifestation of the letter was read out, in which the staff addressed to GM’s chief executive, Ed Whitacre.
- The letter requires the employees to GM will take responsibility for their employees and sell Saab.
They are demanding that GM will demonstrate the confidence of the employees, being a good employer, “said GT’s Borje Andersson.
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My lasting respects to these good people in Trollhattan, who we’ve all supported so stoically for months now.
it remains my hope that you get a great outcome in the coming days.
GM: Sell Saab!
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{ 24 comments }
…and JÅJ only has one hour left?
These are very dark times.
I keep my fingers crossed for everyone.
Makes me even more proud to be a Saab owner and a Saab NUT!
I have said it many times in the past, my deepest thanks and respect to those men and women who designed and built my 9-3 Combi…. my first Saab.. and it WILL NOT BE MY LAST!
Cheers to our friends in Trollhattan!!!
( I am at work now, so it’s a cup of coffee this morning, sorry)
Jim
Troll UP Trollhättan!
We are 100% behind you.
Now, if other suppliers joined in protest, taht might agitate the Swedish government to understand that the job losses won’t stop at the gates of Saab factory! It is disappointing to see comments logged in Swedish press that any payment to save Saab is regarded as lining US pockets for an asset people hold little affection for. Swedes are a funny bunch sometimes! Especially when the money is not even coming out of their own pockets!
Googletrans from Sverge Radio
The liquidator need Jonsson
As of this afternoon, Jan Åke Jonsson no longer CEO of Saab Automobile. Now take a liquidator over the responsibility. But Jonsson is expected to continue their daily work on the Saab, but without any formal power.
Comment on this Saab
- He lost the title, he is no longer president of the company. The Board also dissolved. One can imagine that we meet the liquidator and is informed about what he imagined the future, “says Eric Geers, Director at Saab.
However, the liquidator will take over operational responsibility does not necessarily mean that Jan Ake Jonsson will be without jobs as of today.
- The liquidator need course management to perform a job. You can not run this kind of winding up alone. He does of course people, “says Eric Geers.
In yesterday’s somewhat ambivalent response from GM, it appeared that Spyker will eventually be regarded as having the strongest bid for Saab. CEO Victor Muller is in place in Detroit, officellt to speak at Automotive News Congress late in the evening, Swedish time.
- The bids received are strong. Sure it came out a lot of communication from Detroit yesterday, which created many headlines, but I know it is not running and that it will also meet during the day. Perhaps we have good news to share later this week, “said Eric Geers.
Here’s an article. Apparently they chanted “Taylor Go Home” referring to the proposed liquidator.
http://di.se/Avdelningar/Artikel.aspx?ArticleID=2010\01\12\367838§ionid=BilMotor
Click “Starta Bildspelet” to the right of the article in order to see pictures from the event. There’s a “Griffin Up” sign among other things.
Does anybody know why Bolagsverket rushed the approval/naming of the liquidator??
“Other Business” normally has a queu time of 1 week albeit some matters can be handled quicker. Why the hurry to support GM in closing Saab? they had one working day.
Okay just grumpy I guess
It’s just amazing to see the type of support/loyalty from every aspect of the saab brand (other than, of course, GM…). From the workers, dealers, and owners, it gives you a sense of pride to see just how much people really care. Griffin up!
http://www.e24.se/business/verkstadsindustri/protester-i-trollhattan_1789509.e24?service=slideshow&imgID=0
More pictures from Trollhättan
So true…
Ya people very well. We have to show them.
Troll UP Trollhättan!
We are 100% behind you.
Griffin Up
SAAB Up
GM down!
http://www.dn.se/polopoly_fs/1.1025620.1263297479!images/4110222819.jpg
http://www.dn.se/polopoly_fs/1.1025622.1263297599!images/4045918674.jpg
Saab employees, you have my support.
May God bless you.
If you guys were in South Africa and Namibia, we would have toi-toi’ed long time ago!
Keep the fight, hope for the worst and expect the best!
http://www.saabsunited.com/upload/images2010/01/update_from_the_saab_factory_workers_rally/SaabEmployeeProtest.jpg
Does that poster with the green writing in the bottom left say Griffin UP!?
I wonder if that’s someone from here!
Typically I am not a union guy, but this is a case where the union is 100% right. How often do you see the union coming to the support of the head of management? Could you ever imagine a scenario where the UAW would ever come to the aid of Wagoner, Henderson or Whitacre? No Way! This is a testimony to the special bond that SAAB created.
Griffin Up!
If I could have hi-jacked a sattelite I would have piped this to all of the screens at the Detroit Auto Show. Go Saab you guys deserve a happy ending.
What a kick in the teeth for JAJ, a man who has fought our corner for a very long time and a gentleman who has been with our beloved SAAB for man years.
)
I feel more optimistic today that something positive is going to happen. To all of you at SAAB in Triollhattan thanks for building great cards – its not over yet.
Just re-entering your images which didn’t post properly
1)
2)
That bottom left poster does say what we think it says…..
GRIFFIN UP !!!
That one says it all……
On a corny side of all this…
Anyone else notice the super clean and uncluttered background in the pictures of yesterdays first 9-5 to roll off the assembly line? Also, in todays pictures the assembly employees are clad in safety colored / reflective striped jackets and pants.
Very clean, uncluttered, effecient and somewhat nice to work there.
It give me the impression that each and every car is in a way.. hand built. It’s a stark contrast to the footage we always see of domectic US car makers assembly lines being crammed, cluttered and mass production.
I really like the blue jackets with the orange shoulders, very similar to my favorite fire-wood cutting chainsaws, Husqvarna.
You are all awesome. Go SAAB employees! There was def some LOL’age on my part when I saw ‘Gangster Motors’…
Hey you need to get the “GM Gangster Motors” poster availabel on line. I need one fo rmy wall!!
Such a sense of pride. SAAB and the world wide Saab community deserve a good outcome to this situation.
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