ITALIAN METALWORKERS UNIONS FIM FIOM UILM REACHED AN AGREEMENT ON THE NATIONAL CONTRACT.

The agreement was reached after 13 months, more than 60 hours of strike, one national demonstration in Rome and hundreds of demonstrations all over Italy with the participation of thousands of metalworkers and the solidarity of citizens, after a very hard negotiation, because the Federmeccanica (employers association) wanted to exchange wage’s increase with flexibility and cancellation of the negotiating role of RSU, (workers and unions unitarian representation on the workplaces), with a longer working time. The result will be evaluated by the workers in general assemblies during the next days and after these, with a ballot that will take place on the 15, 16 and 17th of February. The Contract will become effective only after this vote.

The requests of the employers have been rejected. The agreement includes:

100 euros monthly increase (60 euros January 2006; 25 euros October 2006; 15 euros march 2007);

320 euros lump (50% February 2006; 50% june 2006)

130 euros per year for the workers who take only the minimum wage.

Apprenticeship: implementation of the law 2003. 70% is the minimum of the workers who must be confirmed as permanent workers, before the company can take other apprentice workers. Training: 160 hours in the first year; 140 hours in the second; 120 hours in the third.

Experimental section of the agreement: Working time flexibility on several weekly base only through agreement with RSU

Within July 2006 a national commission will work for the definition of the maximum percentage allowed for interim and fixed terms jobs.

In July 2006 this experimental section will expire, unless both parts decide to prolong it.