21/10/2024
Taranto, Oct. 21, 2024 - The restarting of Blast Furnace 1 (AFO1) it is not just an important step in the Taranto plant's revitalization process, marking the beginning of a path that aims to transition to decarbonization and the adoption of electric furnaces, but also a milestone that will, when fully operational, record a decrease in the number of workers in the Extraordinary Temporary Layoff Benefits Fund (CIGS) and put the company back on a path of sustainable growth.
The startup of the second Blast Furnace on October 15, 2024, involved about 3,000 workers and will have visible effects on the downstream plants of the Ionian Integral Cycle and other plants such as Genoa and Novi Ligure.
In the first few months after taking office, the Commission Structure also signed a landmark agreement on CIGS, reached with all the trade unions and the support of the Ministry of Labor. The agreement represented an important element of discontinuity from the past and provided a wage supplement of up to 70 percent of pay for workers under CIGS. Excluded are those performing essential maintenance and safety activities related to the Restart Plan. Scheduled rotation is also planned to ensure equity among the employees involved. New welfare measures, such as Smart Working and flexible hours, will also be introduced to promote work-life balance.
A key aspect of the agreement concerns training: a plan has been launched that will involve about 4,000 workers, with 120,000 hours of total training at all Company sites, including computer literacy courses, technical retraining, and safety and environmental training. Special attention is being paid to green training for electric furnace production, a key technology for the company's future.
"The reduction of the CIGS, made possible by the reactivation of Blast Furnace 1, represents a fundamental step toward a more stable and sustainable future for all Acciaierie d'Italia employees. This process will continue gradually, accompanying the resumption of production and new revitalization initiatives. Our goal is to ensure a fair and inclusive transition that enhances workers' skills and creates concrete opportunities for professional growth through advanced training paths. For us, the relaunch of the company passes above all through investment in people," said Giancarlo Quaranta, Extraordinary Commissioner of Acciaierie d'Italia in AS.
There are currently about 2,800 workers involved in the CIGS, but the restart and development of production will allow for a gradual reduction of this number as the company's overall revitalization takes place. The goal is to face current and future challenges with courage and determination, putting workers at the center and promoting a more sustainable and innovative industrial model.
Press Office Contacts
Comin & Partners
Carlotta Calarese - 3516841413 - [email protected]
Vittoria Tomasi - 334 974 8621 - [email protected]
Federico Fabretti - 3357534768 - [email protected]
