Fiat managers and union representatives met Wednesday for preliminary talks, as a strike by Fiat workers in the southern Italian town of Melfi entered its 10th day. The striking workers are seeking shifts and pay comparable to those of other Fiat workers in Italy. Although Melfi is the only Fiat plant on strike, a lack of the parts made there has slowed production in other plants. Fiat has fallen on hard financial times lately and if the strike carries on it could have a significant impact on profits.
See "Strike at Plant in Day 10; Fiat Shuts Five Others", Eric Sylvers, The New York Times, April 28, 2004