Strike hits ArcelorMittal production in southern France

Monday, 08 February 2010 11:03:34 (GMT+2)

On February 4, steel production was halted at the world's largest steelmaker ArcelorMittal's plant in Fos-sur-Mer, southern France, due to strike action at the site following failed salary negotiations, according to French press sources.

The working blast furnace at ArcelorMittal's plant in Fos-sur-Mer was stopped after the major labor unions decided to go on strike in response to the plant administration's salary increase offer of one percent, against the five percent demanded by the workers' side.

The blast furnace in question was restarted on February 5, due to safety reasons. However, production at the plant has been disrupted, since activity at other facilities of the plant was also halted, a union representative stated.

The plant's other blast furnace has been stopped since December last year and its recommissioning is not expected before March.

ArcelorMittal's plant in Fos-sur-Mer employs about 3,100 employees and annually produces 4.5 million metric tons of flat carbon steel.

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