Marcello Malentacchi, general secretary of the International Metalworkers Federation (IMF), will discuss labor and union issues in a multinational economy when he delivers the Irving J. Bluestone Lecture at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 16, at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). The evening's activities include a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m., lecture at 6:30 p.m. and social hour at 8:00 p.m.

The program, in honor of Irving Bluestone, former vice president of the United Auto Workers (UAW) and retired university professor of labor studies at Wayne State University, is sponsored by Wayne State's Douglas A. Fraser Center for Workplace Issues in the College of Urban, Labor and Metropolitan Affairs (CULMA).

Titled "Is international solidarity more than a slogan?", the lecture will focus on the rapid growth of multinational companies worldwide and the effect of this unrivaled expansion on workers and the spirit of solidarity. According to Malentacchi, currently there are over 60,000 multinationals around the world; by the year 2010 it is estimated there will be nearly 100,000such companies holding roughly $40 trillion in assets across 1.8 million foreign-owned affiliates.

Malentacchi leads the IMF, which has 207 affiliated member unions in 101countries, representing a total membership of nearly 25 million blue-collar and white-collar workers in the metalworking industries.

Prior to assuming the general secretary position in 1989, Malentacchi served as Director of the Health, Safety and Education Department.

For more information about the Irving J. Bluestone Lecture or to RSVP call (313) 993-4320; facsimile (313) 577-7599 or e-mail w.mckether@wayne.edu

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