Italy: Whirlpool concludes a framework agreement with unions as a way to avoid layoffs

After months of mobilization, the metals sector unions secured changes to Whirlpool’s initial restructuring plans involving 2,060 layoffs and the closure of two sites following its purchase of Indesit in 2014. The US multinational has pulled back from layoffs as the agreement provides for the redistribution of production activity, incentives for voluntary departures, and assistance for voluntary transfers where a function has been moved elsewhere, and re-skilling for those prepared to undertake different tasks at their original or regular workplace.
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On 02 July, the Fim-Cisl, Fiom CGIL, and the Uilm-Uil unions together with Whirlpool signed a framework agreement at the Ministry of Economic Development. The agreement sets out the guidelines to apply a new industrial plan running from 2015 – 2018 and replaces a plan put forward last Spring by the US company that included 2,060 job cuts and the closure of two sites (Carinaro in Caserta and None in Turin) , which sparked strong opposition (c.f. article No. 9071). The new agreement will be put t

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