6 May, 2002First hit is Baden-Württemberg, Germany's most heavily industrialised region, and Berlin-Brandenburg will follow if no settlement is reached this week.

2 May, 2002The dispute at the exhaust systems plant in Adelaide was resolved when company agreed to establish bank guarantee for entitlements.

1 May, 2002First to be hit will be Baden-Württemberg, Germany's most heavily industrialised region, with Berlin-Brandenburg to follow.

29 April, 2002Workers this May Day must demonstrate against racism and xenophobia, says the general secretary of the International Metalworkers' Federation.

28 April, 2002Company refuses to accept court's decision in favour of Limter-Is.

25 April, 2002Two million workers lose their lives every year due to occupational injury or disease.

24 April, 2002The South African metalworkers' union Numsa accuses the BHP-Billiton subsidiary of targeting black workers.

23 April, 2002Wage talks collapse. Union says employers' latest offer remains "provocative".

22 April, 2002With 20,000 more jobs to go, the company is taking drastic measures.

21 April, 2002Military police, using batons and teargas, assault workers in front of the Camaçari plant in Bahia.