Italcementi workers presents demands

The Italian unions Feneal Uil, Filca Cisl and Cgil Fillea representing Italcementi cement workers, have announced a strike in response to the industrial plan proposed by the government, which may result in 415 dismissals this year and further 250 redundancies in 2017.

On 14 April, workers at Italcementi declared their intention to strike, arguing that Heidelbergcement, which is in the process of acquiring the Italian cement manufacturer, had failed to address workers’ concerns. HeidelbergCement’s business plan requires a reduction of 415 employees at Bergamo, with 250 additional redundancies across the company's Italian production sites, which could take place in September 2017.

In a counter-proposal, the unions presented five demands to the deputy minister of Economy and Development, including: scheduling a round table discussion with the old and new owners; maintaining the technical assistance centre in Bergamo; maintaining production site assets and the expected employment levels, at least until the end of the transition period concluding in 2020; providing additional social security protection plan for the entire group.

The next meeting with the ministry will be at the beginning of May.