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EMF, ArcelorMittal Sign Agreement in Europe
11/04/2009 - The European Metalworkers’ Federation and ArcelorMittal’s European management sign an agreement with provisions for the restart of equipment as well as negotiated changes and opportunities to enhance employability for the company’s 115,000 workers in Europe.
The European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF) and ArcelorMittal’s European management signed an agreement on November 2, with provisions for the restart of equipment as well as negotiated changes and opportunities to enhance employability for the company’s 115,000 workers in Europe.
The agreement also aims to implement transformations in the European steel industry that will ensure competitiveness and long-term sustainability. Among other initiatives, it promotes a long-term skill development and training policy within the group, improved social dialogue at a national level, and establishing such dialogue where it does not yet exist.
“This agreement finds concrete ways of dealing with the effect of the crisis and is a step in the right direction in the current period of uncertainty,” said Bart Samyn, EMF Deputy General Secretary. “Furthermore, it provides for the ongoing skills development of workers and the long-term sustainable industrial development of ArcelorMittal in Europe. The EMF trusts that the agreement will be swiftly implemented in all the European ArcelorMittal sites. The EMF will be vigilant about ensuring the full application of the agreement.”
“Making Europe’s steel industry competitive and secure now and for years to come is a challenge that deserves to be dealt with in partnership,” said Michel Wurth, member of the Group Management Board responsible for ArcelorMittal Flat Products Europe. “The Social Dialogue Group created by this agreement is a good forum to work together on such fundamental challenges.”
The agreement also aims to implement transformations in the European steel industry that will ensure competitiveness and long-term sustainability. Among other initiatives, it promotes a long-term skill development and training policy within the group, improved social dialogue at a national level, and establishing such dialogue where it does not yet exist.
“This agreement finds concrete ways of dealing with the effect of the crisis and is a step in the right direction in the current period of uncertainty,” said Bart Samyn, EMF Deputy General Secretary. “Furthermore, it provides for the ongoing skills development of workers and the long-term sustainable industrial development of ArcelorMittal in Europe. The EMF trusts that the agreement will be swiftly implemented in all the European ArcelorMittal sites. The EMF will be vigilant about ensuring the full application of the agreement.”
“Making Europe’s steel industry competitive and secure now and for years to come is a challenge that deserves to be dealt with in partnership,” said Michel Wurth, member of the Group Management Board responsible for ArcelorMittal Flat Products Europe. “The Social Dialogue Group created by this agreement is a good forum to work together on such fundamental challenges.”
With operations in more than 60 countries, ArcelorMittal is a leader in all major global steel markets, including automotive, construction, household appliances, and packaging, with sizeable captive supplies of raw materials and outstanding distribution networks. With an industrial presence in more than 20 countries spanning four continents, the company covers all of the key steel markets, from emerging to mature. In 2008, ArcelorMittal had revenues of $124.9 billion and crude steel production of 103.3 million tonnes, representing about 10% of world steel output.
