Reaction from workers, Europe auto union

General Motors' decision to scrap the sale of Opel has raised new uncertainty over the unit's future. The plan has shocked European auto unions and prompted workers to plan walkouts in protest.

The GM board's unexpected decision to call off the sale signaled a surprising end to months of haggling.

Now, German workers fear GM will make even more cuts to return Opel to profit.

Opel Worker, said, "There has been confusion for a long time already and now we hope that it will all be good. It is out of our hands. Everybody keeps on hoping."

GM's move was also a sharp blow to labor officials. Earlier, they had supported it as the restructuring option that would save the most German jobs.

Peter Scherrer, General Secretary, European Metalworkers' Federation, said, "The workers have been through an emotional roller coaster during the last few months, not knowing what the future will bring. The highest responsibility of GM's management is to ensure security will come immediately."

Europe's major auto union umbrella group, the EMF, demanded an immediate restructuring plan from Detroit.

Peter Scherrer, General Secretary, European Metalworkers' Federation, said, "We want to know what General Motors is up to with European plants. Now, we have only the information from the press that there will be a restructuring program. We don't know any details yet and we ask General Motors to get into talks immediately."

The EMF stressed that any new restructuring plans from GM must include the two major demands: No plant closures and no forced redundancies.

GM now faces a new battle to secure concessions for its own plan. This has raised the prospect of a bankruptcy if it is blocked.