Alcoa workers in San Cibrao (Cervo, Lugo) have approved the agreement in a referendum to be able to start the process of cessation of primary aluminum production and subsequent restart according to the conditions described in the proposal submitted by the multinational.
The results of the vote, released by the works council early this Wednesday morning, place the support for yes among the workforce at 69.68%, whose participation reached 76%, of 1,063 registered workers. Thus, out of a total of 808 votes cast, the recount yielded 563 votes in favor (that 69.68%), 196 votes against (24.26%), 40 blank votes (4.95%) and nine invalid votes. (1.11%).
Meanwhile, the result of the referendum in the contractor companies was unfavorable for the agreement, with 180 votes cast: 54 in favor (30%), 105 against (58.3%) and 21 blank (11.7%).
Therefore, the committee approves the agreement to start the cessation of production, a proposal to solve the conflict for which, it warns, “jobs and continuity continue to be threatened” at the aluminum plant.
Negotiation
Last Thursday, December 23, the negotiation between Alcoa and the committee of the San Cibrao factory ended without an agreement after four marathon days in Santiago. It was then that the workers’ representatives announced that they would submit the company’s latest proposal to a referendum.
In fact, the company had issued an ultimatum to the works council the day before (Wednesday the 22nd) in which it set this Tuesday, December 28 as the deadline — at 2:00 p.m. — for the agreement to be signed.
The company’s latest offer involves an investment of 103 million dollars (more than 90 million euros in exchange) for “the future viability and growth of the plant”, including the restart of the electrolysis tanks in 2024 after a stoppage of two years, and a restricted deposit for the same amount will be constituted as a guarantee.
According to her, Alcoa is committed to working with eight energy suppliers with which it is already in contact, to reach medium and long-term agreements (PPAs), which would enter into force as of 2024 and would be valid for 10 years. .
Access the monitoring of these negotiations, as well as the investments and the evolution of the agreement, through a table in which the committee (two members per union), Xunta and Government would be present, with a monthly frequency the first six months and quarterly thereafter.
As for the plan for the years 2022 and 2023, Alcoa offers a billing guarantee for auxiliary companies during the first two years, with guaranteed three-year contracts (2022 to 2024) for those external companies directly affected by the temporary cessation. In addition, there will be hiring preference for local supply companies and carriers.
With regard to investments in the first two years, there are some 37 million euros for actions such as the reconstruction of the firing furnace for a large anode; to which more than 5 million are added for a new transformer (TRG) with a voltage adjuster, designed for 200,000 amps; and a homogenized oven (2.6 million). There are 31 million reserved for the restart of the vats in a six-month process starting in 2024.
Likewise, the smelting activity and the alumina plant will continue to operate, with a business plan during these years, at a rate of 65,000 annual tons of billets and forecast sales of 25,000 annual tons of plate. Commitments to customers would not be affected.
Strike
This agreement includes the condition that the workers end the strike and commit to social peace during its term. No collective dismissal files (neither ERE nor ERTE) will be undertaken at the aluminum plant for four years, until December 31, 2025.
Thus, the affected workers will follow their usual schedule. The plant management will indicate the tasks to be carried out, including training, substitutions or maintenance and cleaning activities of the facilities. In case of absence from work, paid leave will be provided for the corresponding period.
As of January 1, 2025, derived from the training and execution of investments, the reviews of those positions that require it will be carried out.
In addition, direct contracts will be made as of January 1, 2023 for all those temporary jobs that, during the year 2021, would have had a contract to make them available.
For its part, there will be an agreement valid for six years, from 2020 to 2025. Among other issues, it includes a 2% annual salary increase, both in tables and aid, but without a CPI review clause.
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