December 03, 2008

Arcelor Mittal Galati union begin strike for higher pay

AP reported that guards used tear gas on hundreds of striking workers who were trying to storm Arcelor Mittal Galati in Romania. As per report some 3,600 steel workers of Arcelor Mittal Galati have begun a strike at the plant to demand higher wages.

Earlier Monday, about 800 striking steel workers threw water, bread and stones in the factory yard before trying to storm the building. They were repelled by guards.

Mr Gheorghe Tiber trade union leader told state news agency Rompres that "The all out strike is legal and we are expecting more employees to join the protest.”

Earlier Arcelor Mittal Galati is offering a monthly increase of ROL 100 (USD 44) for those earning the lowest salaries and a percentage increase for those on higher salaries. The union wants each worker to have a monthly increase of at least ROL 280 (USD123)

Arcelor Mittal Galati now employs about 13,700 workers as compared to about 28,000 in 2001, when it was privatized.