ArcelorMittal: final European framework agreement on anticipating change

Save jobs and ArcelorMittal’s future. The agreement starts with a commitment linked to the current worries of the company’s employees. “ArcelorMittal intends to preserve all the tools and plants which are currently mothballed or temporary suspended in order to restart them providing that market recovery allows doing so.” This principle, which has no time limit, comes with the commitment to “define industrial plans for the future” when activity is suspended, implying “the upgrade and renewal of machineries and tools,” “the preservation of the critical skills” and, finally, “the role of the key contractors.” Having regard to maintaining the workforce, ArcelorMittal “will use all possible means to maintain the workforce, by using all possible alternative solutions - including short time working - and providing training in periods of economic cutbacks.” After the massive voluntary leave program carried out in late 2008, it was important for unions that future leaves were replaced. While layoffs may be considered after all possible alternatives have been exhausted, “ArcelorMittal and Trade Unions will commit to enter in a process aiming to reach negotiated solution, in good faith, in accordance with national legislations, traditions and cultures, with a view to create long term solutions for the future of the employment basins.”