Unions rejected the drastic proposals put forward by Electrolux to maintain production in Italy, demanding among other things tougher working conditions (fewer breaks and more intense work rhythms), less union rights, and the closure of the washing machine plant of Porcia (see article No. 8140). It had also mobilized (more than 150 hours of strike) before opening long negotiations with the support of the government and local authorities. The agreement signed on May 14 by Electrolux Italia, the Fim-Cisll, Fiom-CGIL and Uilm-Uil unions, the regions of Venetia, Friuli–Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Emilia-Romania, the Minister of Labor Giuliano Poletti and the Minister of Economic Development, Frederica Guidi – endorsed by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi on May 15 – claims to have found balance between the labor costs cut required by the multinational and the protection of employment.
Italy: Electrolux signs agreement with unions, government and local authorities to maintain production in the country
In January, Electrolux presented drastic conditions to maintain production in Italy, demanding, among other things, a pay cut, tougher working conditions or even limited union rights. Following major mobilization from workers and long negotiations, Electrolux has changed these conditions. In the deal permanently signed in Rome on May 15, the Swedish multinational commits itself to redirecting and increasing production in Italian sites, banking on innovation, and to use all available measures to maintain surplus workers. For their part, unions have lowered the union rights defined in the company agreement, which were more advantageous than the sector’s national agreement.
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