address ArcelorMittal yesterday was inflexible As a result of the first phase of the partial decarbonization of the Veriña steel center (Gijon), the need to implement an employment regulation file (ERE) as a way out for 440 workers, mostly in Asturias. According to sources from negotiations that continued last night in Etxebarri, where the meeting is assumed to continue today, the company continues to bypass the contract transition formula demanded by the unions. Workers born in 1962 and 1963 are willing to continue the treatment when they reach the same age as the previous groups.
Business rejection contract termination formulaThe reason for this, which will be sold out on the 31st, is that the company does not believe it is possible to recruit a number of companies equivalent to the number of exits due to the installation of future green power plants (hybrid electric furnace to replace it). The existing Gijón steelworks and reduction plant for direct production of green hydrogen iron ore (pending approval to replace one of the plant’s two blast furnaces) will require fewer staff. Arcelor estimates there are one thousand fewer jobs, equivalent to 20% of the multinational’s current workforce in Asturias.
The proposed setting of 440 jobs for the entire region called the “Asturias Cluster” (Asturias, Sagunto, Etxebarri and Legasa-Lesaka) is linked solely to the electric furnace. At the last meeting the UGT claimed the loyalty of one hundred newly hired workers.
The company argues that aided ERE can offer equal or better terms for redundancies than the aid contract.
Agreement
In parallel, collective agreement negotiations for Asturias continue for the implementation of the VIII Framework Agreement signed in May for the entire Cluster. Company offered to integrate staff. agreement individualminibus and team leader bonuses, summer working hours according to the last proposal, per diem increases (5 euros for a sandwich and 12.5 euros for meals), a 16-hour free use arrangement for staff working in three shifts under five teams, etc.
The unions proposed a joint proposal that included a cafeteria for all workers, holiday bonuses, regulation of the pool of temporary workers and economic improvement of the sick leave figure, collective insurance, summer work and employment bonuses. Market and special help, Christmas bag and basket.