Alfa Romeo Tonale Production Slowed By Angry Employees

May. 16, 2023 3:23 PM ET by Jacob Oliva Industry News / 13 Comments

Workers are becoming unhappy working at Stellantis plants in Italy and elsewhere.

The production of the Alfa Romeo Tonale has been ramped up since February to keep up with overwhelming demand. However, it appears that the company is facing a hurdle that will affect the output. According to Bloomberg, the Pomigliano manufacturing plant in Southern Italy has been hit by worker protests against unsanitary toilets, a lack of work gear, and insufficient heating at the plant. This has led to delays in production, the report said.

The workers' complaints have been backed by Simone Marinelli, head of the Fiom union's automotive arm, who told publications that some workers have to wait months to have old and worn-out overalls replaced, and the plant is dirty, with stinking toilets.

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Of note, the Fiat Panda is also produced in the same plant and is also reportedly affected by the employee strike. This is not an isolated incident, as workers at other factories are also putting pressure on management to improve the conditions of the facilities, including manufacturing sites in France.

Stellantis, the parent company of both Alfa Romeo and Fiat, has denied allegations of neglecting working conditions and maintains that it always adheres to labor contracts and respects its employees while considering the competitive environment of the automotive industry.

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The worker protests are causing concern over facility maintenance due to cutbacks at the Pomigliano plant. Workers at other manufacturing sites in France have also complained of inadequate investments in facility upkeep. The company has conducted an employee survey to address the issues raised by the workers, with a follow-up survey scheduled for this month.

To recall, Alfa Romeo ramped up production of the Tonale in February to meet the high demand in the US, increasing daily production to 400 units. To ensure an adequate inventory for export markets, Stellantis has reduced a shift for Fiat Panda manufacturing at its Pomigliano plant. In 2022, the Tonale saw strong sales in Europe, with 11,171 units sold.

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Alfa Romeo Tonale Production Slowed By Angry Employees

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