European Unions Say Thousands To Mobilize In ArcelorMittal Protests
07 Dicembre 2011 - 10:05AM
Dow Jones News
European labor unions assembled under the umbrella of the
European Metalworkers' Federation said thousands of ArcelorMittal
(MT) union workers are expected to take part in demonstrations
Wednesday to protest against the steelmaker's plant closures,
restructuring plans and job cuts in Europe.
"Massive mobilisation of thousands of ArcelorMittal workers is
expected ...in every country and plant where the company has
production facilities in Europe," EMF said in a statement on
Tuesday. "This will clearly impact on production."
The EMF said union workers are planning a full 24-hour warning
strike at ArcelorMittal sites in the south of Belgium, with a
massive demonstration in Liege and rallies at all other sites.
A 24-hour warning strike will also take place in Luxembourg,
where ArcelorMittal's European headquarters are located. Strikes
ranging from two hours per shift to a 24-hour stoppage will take
place at all sites in France.
Work stoppages will also take place at all sites in Italy and
Spain and some sites in Germany, the union said. Assemblies, and
rallies and press briefings will take place in these countries as
well as in Czech Republic, Romania, Macedonia and Poland.
The EMF said ArcelorMittal workers in other countries such as
Brazil, Japan and Russia are also demonstrating their support
through solidarity messages.
ArcelorMittal's head of Human Resources for the group, Willie
Smit, said the company respects the rights of its employees to
demonstrate but that the company believes the strikes being held at
various sites in Europe and the demonstration in London are
unhelpful given the current economic environment.
"In light of the economic situation in Europe, ArcelorMittal has
taken the decision over the past months to temporarily idle a
number of its facilities in Europe and to regrettably propose the
permanent closure of the hot phase in Liege," Smit said. "All of
these decisions have been taken in conjunction with regular and
detailed social dialogue with the unions and other affected
stakeholders."
Smit added that the company has a lot of confident in the future
of the European steel industry but in the current environment, the
company had to focus on meeting reduced demand from its most
competitive plants.
"We would ask everyone to...recognize that the business is not
taking these decisions because we want to, but because we have to
in the interest of a competitive and sustainable business."
-By Alex MacDonald, Dow Jones Newswires; +44 (0)20 7842 9328;
alex.macdonald@dowjones.com
Grafico Azioni Arcelor Mittal (NYSE:MT)
Storico
Da Ago 2024 a Set 2024
Grafico Azioni Arcelor Mittal (NYSE:MT)
Storico
Da Set 2023 a Set 2024