address ArcelorMittal It was handed over to the unions in the European working committee of the multinational company, where it negotiated with all EU governments in the countries where the company is present steel mill decarbonization projects Some union sources assured that the conditions in energy prices and these negotiations have slowed down investments in the replacement of blast furnaces with direct hydrogen iron ore (DRI) furnaces. Some even said the company was talking about a “temporary outage.”
The company spokesman, consulted by La Nueva España of the Ibérica Prensa Group, stated that there was “no suspension or suspension”. “We continue to work with the Government to deliver an energy cost scenario that makes investments viable,” as is done “with all Governments.” “The decarbonization project is still alive,” he added. Of the $1,000 million investment ArcelorMittal announced in July 2021 for the partial decarbonization of the Gijón plant, the company has approved the hybrid electric furnace project to replace the Gijón steel plant and has already signed the engineering contract. Final approval is awaited for the DRI, which is the largest investment and for which the Spanish Government approved public aid of 450 million on April 5, with prior approval from the European Commission.
While waiting for the company to fully commit plan decarbonization (This would mean laying off 1,000 people, corresponding to 20% of the workforce in Asturias), the unions managed to get the company to reorient its immediate retrenchment plan (originally planned for 440 workers, mostly born in 1962 and 1963 in the Principality), 8 For the special needs connected with the replacement of the Gijón steelworks with a hybrid electric furnace and the separation of only personnel born in 1962, in accordance with the commitment undertaken in the VIII Framework Agreement signed in May. As a result of this rethink, this first phase of the cut will affect between 178 and 200 workers.
However, despite some rapprochements, an agreement has still not been reached. CCOO continues to call for the contract transfer formula (which would guarantee as many hires as leavers, which would require maintaining employment) and UGT calls for 100 temporary hires. The company has offered to hire at least 30 people indefinitely (this number could reach 50), which would leave the workforce adjustment at between 148 and 170 people net at this first stage; This corresponds to an estimated workforce reduction in the future bakery. crossbreed.
of two formulas Employment Reduction File (ERE) Arcelor, which is considering the release of these personnel by the company, is approaching the termination of the ERE with prior assistance with a guarantee of 80% of the normal gross salary of the last year worked, compared to the initial offer of 70%. The majority of departures will occur immediately, with the remainder resulting in withdrawals before March 31. Unions think the offer is inadequate. Yesterday talks in Etxebarri were suspended after two days of meeting.