25 November, 2020IndustriALL supports its Italian affiliates FIOM-CGIL, FIM-CISL and UILM-UIL and joins their demands calling on ArcelorMittal and the Italian Government to decide urgently on the future of the group to secure the rights and interests of workers’ Group in Italy.
For all the three Italian unions, former Ilva site is the strategic asset of the Italian steel industry, but since conclusion of the agreement on 6 September 2018, ArcelorMittal has gradually weakened the site until it became unsustainable.
Considering the ongoing challenges faced by steel workers at ArcelorMittal Italia (ex Ilva), the unions insist on urgent measures to ensure the health and safety of the workers; immediate resumption of appropriate industrial relations, currently non-existent; and respect of the workers' rights to information and consultation.
In the same time workers demand for an industrial plan, defining the future of the group in Italy, including time for relaunch of installations that have been put on hold for years.
In addition, the unions find it imperative to create a social safety net to ease the hardships faced by workers, and the additional stress from the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 03-04 November 2020 IndustriALL Global Union’s ArcelorMittal Global Union Network with participation of more than 90 delegates from some 20 countries, met and received the reports from the union representatives about the situation at ex-Ilva site. The global union network extends their full support to their Italian fellow workers.
In his letter to the Italian affiliates, Valter Sanches, IndustriALL general secretary expressed solidarity with the unions’ strike action announced on 25 November and said,
“We strongly urge the company and the Italian government to meet with trade unions to agree on a clear way forward with solid and transparent plans for the future. We reiterate our full support to your struggle, and in particular we stand in solidarity with you tomorrow 25 November during nationwide day of action.”