The Confederación Nacional de los Metalúrgicos (CNM), the metalworkers’ confederation affiliated to the CUT, has fought for the introduction of profit sharing plans since it was founded 22 years ago. The agreement will apply to 49% of Thyssen employees and will be valid for two years. The remaining 51% of the company’s employees are members of other trade union centrals.
Paulo Cayres, president of the CNM/CUT, said it was a major reason to celebrate: “Since the confederation was founded, we have fought for benefits for all workers and against regional variations. If workers are doing the same job, they should have the same rights”.
The agreement demonstrates the scope for improving the relations between labour and capital at company and sector levels and shows that a national agreement is both advantageous and possible.
Previously, only bank and oil industry workers had national collective agreements. The agreement shows the importance of making workers the main reference point in the world of work and of guaranteeing equal rights to all workers employed by the same company at all its units. The agreement strengthens the industry and promotes decent work.