Cold shower for Wartsila workers. In fact, the company rejected mediation proposed by institutions agreed upon by all other parties, effectively stalling the agreement to expand the social safety net. In this way, it is possible that the Finnish multinational company may decide to open the collective dismissal procedure provided for by Law No. 234. A process that will result in 300 people losing their jobs in approximately 8 months.
Wartsila deal to expand social safety nets fails
The “no” answer from the company’s top management came after nearly eight hours of negotiations around the table in Mimit, where the government, Fvg Region, Confindustria and unions were present, among others. The negotiations, which started at 15:00 at the table of the Ministry of Trade and Made in Italy, had a contrasting start, with positions that seemed firm and uncompromising. Later, negotiations started at various points and negotiations continued until the stage of discussing an agreement text, with the aim of reaching a consensus on a common stance by all parties. After a momentary pause during which the parties had the opportunity to analyze the points of the agreement and then conclude it, Wartsila’s definitive rejection came.
An attitude described as “irresponsible and unmotivated” by Massimiliano Ciarrocchi, managing director of Confindustria Alto Adriatico: “This behavior risks jeopardizing the possibility of a program agreement for the re-industrialization of the site”. A danger that Antonio Rodà, secretary of Trieste Uilm-Uil, also feared: “Wartsila did not agree to a whole day of mediation on a possible text of agreement and no detailed reasons were given. This is a very serious fact. Because from our point of view this stance is against Wartsila’s entire It calls into question the industrial settlement”.
“It is an unholy decision. We will not leave the workers alone.”
The reaction of Alessia Rosolen, Member of the Labor Council of Friuli Venezia Giulia, was also angry: “As a region, we will do everything in our power to oppose Wartsila’s choice. With this nonsense masquerading as drama, the company reacted very strongly. A serious responsibility has been assumed.” “We will start negotiations with the government for a possible intervention in the 234th law. We are now faced with a process that does not deserve any discount. On December 28, that is, about 10 days ago, Wartsila requested its continuation. Money is being transferred to the ministry.”
“The region, Rosolen added, will not leave the workers alone. I am shocked and saddened by the loan given over these year and a half to Wartsila, a company that lied to the Minister at the beginning of the procedure. Despite this ‘bad start’ and jury verdicts, despite this irregular behavior “We have always sought dialogue. But the past month has been a series of surreal passages.”
The conflict with the company will continue, as Alessia Rosolen confirms: “The company was slapped by the wrong procedure opened on July 14, 2022 and now thinks that its cultural and social foundations are far away. Far from Italian sensibility, it can calmly start such a serious procedure “and it can realize a conflictual phase that we have all tried to put aside for so long. Wartsila is an important supply chain for a region, both direct employees and related industries. The national supply chain will be respected by all the actions we can implement.”
USB: “An absurd choice, a mockery”
The response from Sasha Colautti, National Manager of USB, is also quite harsh: “7 hours of negotiations were not enough to prevent an unprecedented disaster: when an agreement was reached in practice, after a complex and difficult negotiation, the Finnish multinational company did not sign the agreement and from tomorrow will act as it deems necessary.” He declared that he felt free to do so. The procedure for the dismissal of 300 Bagnoli workers could be initiated at any time, starting from tomorrow. An absurd and bad choice, incomprehensible. Incomprehensible. especially when the institutions use the program agreement as an element of assurance of the industrial and employment plan to become a reliable re-industrialist (Ansaldo). because they have effectively taken the dispute into their own hands to find a solution through
The decision of the multinational company unsettled and stunned everyone present, as Colautti said: “It is a great mockery that the management of an Italian company acts as the enforcer of workers on orders from Finland. We ask the government to confirm the “programme agreement and commitments.” “An angry reaction of the workers in the face of real violence, for which a full rapprochement between the unions is desired. A very strong reaction is needed and Trieste must rally around Wartsila again”.
Source: Today IT
Roy Brown is a renowned economist and author at The Nation View. He has a deep understanding of the global economy and its intricacies. He writes about a wide range of economic topics, including monetary policy, fiscal policy, international trade, and labor markets.
