News type
Date end
News memo
Today, 1st February 2006, under the auspices of the European Metalworkers‘ Federation, the EMF, the members of the Arcelor Social Dialogue Group and the members of the Steering Committee of the EWC of Arcelor met to discuss the hostile take-over bid of Mittal.
Trade unions from Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Luxembourg and Italy, declared unanimously that they strongly opposed the hostile take-over bid of Arcelor by Mittal.
They fear that many jobs will be lost through possible synergy effects.
The take-over would generate dominating market share. Workers‘ representatives fear that through this take-over, they would loose the highly-developed culture of social dialogue in the Arcelor group. They also fear that the policy of transparent communication of the group‘s strategy would be at risk.
Representatives from trade unions will, through their European Federation, the EMF, quickly try to get into a dialogue with the EU Commission and the European Parliament. They will directly contact the Commission President Mr Barroso, commissioners Kroes, Verheugen and Spidla.
At the same time, national trade union organisations will get in touch with their respective policy decision-makers and try to elaborate with them ways to prevent the take-over in a joint effort.
The current example of Arcelor and Mittal shows again how urgently an effective social dialogue on European level is needed. The representatives of Arcelor employees demand a policy of responsibility and a European steel policy which secures sustainable employment and the respect of the interest of the employees. Investment in the European steel industry is strongly needed. Reinforcement of the research and development policy is urgently needed in order to create a climate of permanent innovation.
The EMF together with the Arcelor Social Dialogue Group and the members of the Steering Committee of the EWC of Arcelor will very quickly work on a common platform for their further strategy to defend the workers‘ interests and workers‘ rights in the steel industry.
Source Info
News date