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

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