Inside Report (5)

Unionized auto workers worldwide are worried by the state of their industry.

US sales are down to 1948 levels, and with production off, more than 250,000 American workers are idle. Few European manufacturers are declaring profits. Auto employment is being cut back everywhere.

Leaders of 3 million auto workers from 25 countries, among them United Automobile Workers chief Douglas Fraser, will meet in Tokyo April 27 to seek solutions to the ravages of recession and the impact of robots and other technology on auto jobs.

The unionists are members of the International Metalworkers' Federation. The federation is pressing for cooperation by unions across national boundaries. It plans to seek joint action against automakers who oppose the unionizing of workers in plants in Latin American, South Africa, and some areas of Asia.m