Despite Union Protests Arcelor Mittal Maintains Technical Unemployment Decision

Marilena Dinu,

GalaŢi

Although some 400 metallurgical union members protested last week against Arcelor Mittal"s decision to send all of the 12,000 employees of the iron works in Galati in technical unemployment by rotation, the management maintained the decision. The situation remained unchanged even after a meeting early this week between representatives of Arcelor Mittal and the union federations Solidaritatea, FSS Metarom and Forum. The two sides resumed discussions on the percentage of the salaries to be paid as compensation to workers in technical unemployment during the second quarter of 2009. However, no agreement was reached. While the management"s last offer is 75% of the salary, the unions are demanding between 90% and 100% plus length of service increments.

Solidaritatea Union leader Gheorghe Tiber stated: "We were told that the decision of the Board of Directors to send all employees in technical unemployment by rotation in the second quarter was still in place. We were also told that employees present on site would be tasked to ensure the functionality of installations and utilities at stand-by level. As for the percentage of the salary to be paid to those in technical unemployment, it will be communicated in the next few days." Tiber added that he maintained his request for 100% of the salary plus length of service increments.

Dorian Dumitrescu, spokesman for Arcelor Mittal - Galati, declined comment on the technical unemployment issue.

The decision to send the metallurgical workers in technical unemployment would be the second crisis containment measure taken by Arcelor Mittal - Galati after a forced 10-day vacation for all employees, by rotation, in the first two months of the year.