BRAZIL: Trade unionists from several Brazilian states met for the Fourth National Meeting of the ArcelorMittal Workers' Network at the company's Monlevade plant on May 3-4. The Metalworkers' Union (Sindmon-Metal) coordinated the meeting, which aimed to use the network to promote an exchange of experiences between steel industry workers and discuss the dismissals at the local plant caused by suspension of expansion plans.

Manuel Campos, the officer responsible for IMF networks in Brazil, Luiz Carlos da Silva, president of Sindmon-Metal, Geraldo Magela Werneck from the Juiz de Fora union and Everaldo dos Santos from the Osasco union gave a press conference, where they spoke about the discussions at the meeting.

Since last year, the company has dismissed around 800 directly employed workers, including 104 at the Monlevade plant (18 in May 2011, 46 in August and 40 in January 2012.

During their visit to the plant, trade unionists praised the company's structure but criticised the existence of two canteens at the plant, one for direct employees and another for contract workers. "There is only one canteen at all the company's other Brazilian plants. We are shocked that a company that claims to be socially responsible is making such an elementary mistake," said Geraldo Werneck.

The group was informed that planned expansion of the plant has been suspended and more workers may lose their jobs. The meeting also discussed other issues such as health and safety and company profit-sharing schemes.
 
The aim of these meetings is to reduce the disparities between the plants and increase the dialogue between the company and the unions.