Setting the course for the 3rd International Automotive Workers' Conference
February 3, 2025: The International Coordination Group (ICOG) elected in South Africa at the 2nd International Automotive Workers' Conference met in Pune/India at the beginning of January and made essential preparations and decisions to ensure that the important international conference, the 3rd International Automotive Workers Conference, is well prepared and can take place successfully.
The 3rd International Automotive Workers' Conference (3rd IAC) will take place from Thursday, November 20 to Monday, November 24, 2025 in Pune/India. Representatives of the International Coordination Group (ICOG) report:
From Brazil, South Africa, India and Germany, the coordinating group was not quite complete (the two elected representatives from Tunisia and the Philippines were missing), but in cooperation with the two trade union federations SEM and TUCI from India, all important and necessary issues were dealt with and many things were clarified: based on the principles adopted at the founding in 2015 in Sindelfingen/Germany and the adopted 2020 program of struggle in Vereeniging/South Africa, we first discussed the situation of automotive workers worldwide and new developments. Dismissals, plant closures, the expansion of new plants with lower wages, fixed-term contracts and temporary work are the working conditions that are becoming “normal” on a large scale. The coordination of struggles and international cooperation is exactly the right response that we workers must take against this.
We quickly agreed on our assessment of the situation and our firm solidarity. War, the environment and nationalist politics were discussed. During the 4 days of meetings we felt mutual solidarity and solidarity. Even when opinions differed, discussions were held at eye level, everyone wanted to learn from each other and advance the joint, self-organized project, the 3rd International Automotive Workers' Conference.
We visited three different halls and decided on one that we would like to use for our conference in November. It's not cheap, but with combined forces, agreed financial guidelines and a lot of persuasion and fundraising work, we can make it happen. We decided that we could best organize the conference with a multilateral assistance staff (MAS). This will bring together and coordinate the 16 preparatory teams that have been agreed, from visa, travel, accommodation, catering, security, finance, forums and workshop teams to public relations and other teams. The main responsibility lies with the ICOG, the coordinating group elected in South Africa.
Our hosts in the vibrant metropolis of Pune gave us an insight into the rich culture and history of India and its state of Maharashtra during a city tour (see also pictures). Its more recent history is characterized by an economic boom that has more than doubled the area of the former Poona in the last 50 years. Today, a modern metro connects the twin cities of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. Automotive and supplier companies are concentrated in this industrial center. An experienced workers' and trade union movement has developed here over the years. At a meeting with many trade unionists, we gained a vivid impression of the working conditions and the development of the struggles.
We reached an agreement with the SEM and TUCI trade union federations that regulates and defines our cooperation in a spirit of solidarity. This solidarity is an example of the commitment of automotive workers worldwide and radiates far beyond India.
We also adopted a final declaration, excerpts of which are published here:
“All over the world, car and supplier plants are to be closed and our wages are being pressed down. Workers around the world are to be kept from fighting by the slogan ‘my country first’ or ‘my company first’ and divided by contract and temporary labor. But the automotive workers are not accepting this. In India, workers are fighting against the de facto abolition of trade union rights, in South Africa, Brazil and Germany against plant closures. But automotive workers are also active against environmental destruction, fascisation and wars leading to world disaster.
Above all, it is about the future of young people!
The 3rd International Automotive Workers' Conference November 20-24, 2025 in Pune will send out a signal: No struggle must stand alone anymore! We are strengthening international solidarity, co-operation and coordination of struggles towards joint struggles for common demands. For a world without exploitation and oppression!
At our meeting, we took all the necessary decisions to prepare the conference on all sides and to spread the tasks over many shoulders. Everyone is needed. Hundreds of automotive workers will unite, discuss, argue and celebrate.
Pune in India, as an international automotive center, is exactly the right place for this. ...“
Every automotive worker, the employees of suppliers and their families: our problems and perspectives are global! That is why we are consulting, strengthening ourselves and coordinating our struggles. No struggle should stand alone - solidarity and cooperation, across company and national borders - this is how we strengthen ourselves together and each other.
Join us in Pune from November 20-24, 2025 for the 3rd International Automotive Workers' Conference - it will be an unforgettable highlight of the year 2025!
The course has been set, make your decision and come along.
This report with the compilation of pictures was provided by one of our ICOG members from Germany.
Here you can see pictures from our visit in Pune
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