3 August, 2007Court rules general strike at Mittal Steel Zenica illegal.
BOSNIA: 3,300 workers at Bosnia's largest steel maker, Mittal Steel Zenica, who went on strike on August 1, were ordered back to work two days later after a municipal court ruled that the union had not met all legal conditions before proceeding to strike.
Members of the Trade Union of Metalworkers (TUM) launched the largest strike Bosnia has seen since the 1992-95 war after collective bargaining talks that started in June broke down. Workers are demanding a minimum wage of 2.50 Bosnian marka ($1.83 USD) per hour, up from the current 2 marka hourly wage. The union also wants night and overtime bonuses in line with a regional collective bargaining deal.
The court denied management's move to have the strike deemed "unfounded", which leaves a window of opportunity for the union to correct any illegalities and restart the strike.
"The International Metalworkers' Federation fully supports the efforts of Mittal Steel Zenica workers fighting for a decent wage and improved conditions," said IMF general secretary Marcello Malentacchi. "It is clear that the hard work and skills of the workers have made this plant extremely productive and profitable, yet the company refuses to share the rewards of their labour."
Mittal Steel Zenica has a production capacity of 800,000 tonnes of metal annually and is a unit of the world's largest steel maker, Arcelor Mittal.
Members of the Trade Union of Metalworkers (TUM) launched the largest strike Bosnia has seen since the 1992-95 war after collective bargaining talks that started in June broke down. Workers are demanding a minimum wage of 2.50 Bosnian marka ($1.83 USD) per hour, up from the current 2 marka hourly wage. The union also wants night and overtime bonuses in line with a regional collective bargaining deal.
The court denied management's move to have the strike deemed "unfounded", which leaves a window of opportunity for the union to correct any illegalities and restart the strike.
"The International Metalworkers' Federation fully supports the efforts of Mittal Steel Zenica workers fighting for a decent wage and improved conditions," said IMF general secretary Marcello Malentacchi. "It is clear that the hard work and skills of the workers have made this plant extremely productive and profitable, yet the company refuses to share the rewards of their labour."
Mittal Steel Zenica has a production capacity of 800,000 tonnes of metal annually and is a unit of the world's largest steel maker, Arcelor Mittal.