In Montreal, Canada, over one hundred and fifty trade unionists and works councils from twenty three countries are at present discussing new ways and new strategies towards achieving stronger and better international co-operation. Topics such as the urgency to improve safety at the workplace and to secure workers’ rights in the company are at the top of the agenda. Reports from steelworkers and trade unionists from Macedonia, Brazil and from South Africa etc., which account the occurrence of fatal accidents in the companies of the world’s largest steel producer, highlights the urgent need to improve safety at the workplace. Mr Lakshmi Mittal, the CEO of ArcelorMittal has reemphasised the company’s willingness to co-operate with the trade unions in order to improve safety at the steelworks as rapidly as possible.

At the close of the conference, the trade unions will agree to strengthen the global co-operation by signing an agreement. The agreement foresees amongst other things, the aim to establish a world works council at ArcelorMittal. “With the recently concluded European Works Council agreement, we have the basis for an effective cross-border co-operation of employee representatives and trade unions in one region of the world. Given the global challenges for the steel industry and its workers, a worldwide employee representation body must be established at ArcelorMittal as quickly as possible”, said Peter Scherrer, EMF General Secretary, reporting from the conference.

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PRESS 43/2007

The EMF is the representative body defending the interests of workers in the European metal industry. The EMF has a mandate for the external representation and coordination of the metalworkers' unions and a mandate to engage in bargaining at European level.

For further information please contact:
Editor, Peter Scherrer, EMF General Secretary