ArcelorMittal confirmed on Monday the closure of its service centers in Reims and Denain, which employ a total of 136 people, the unions indicated following a social and economic committee (CSE) in Reims.
One hundred and twelve people are employed on the Reims site (Marne) and 24 on the Denain site (North), according to the unions. This represents almost a quarter of the workforce in France of ArcelorMittal Service Centers, a subsidiary specializing in the wholesale trade of metals and minerals to businesses. “The cessation of production is planned for June,” added the inter-union (CGT, FO, CFDT, CFE-CGC) in a press release. “For certain support functions, departures are planned from April,” she adds. According to this source, 19 reclassifications will be proposed in other ArcelorMittal Service Centers sites.
“Eight positions currently occupied by temporary staff will also be offered” within a site in Haute-Saône and “20 offers have been listed” for reclassifications within other entities of the group, continues the press release.
A “sharp drop in activity”
ArcelorMittal indicated last week that the Reims and Denain centers were suffering from a “sharp drop in activity” among its customers in industry and automobiles, “which has accelerated in recent months”.
The inter-union calls on employees of the eight French sites of ArcelorMittal Service Centers to mobilize on Tuesday. In Denain, they must be joined by around fifty members of the CGT of ArcelorMittal Dunkirk, where concern is growing after announcements made in recent days by the group and the government.
ArcelorMittal asked the European Union on Monday to protect the competitiveness of European steel, putting in the balance its decarbonization projects on the continent, which involve several billion euros of investments. This notably includes Dunkirk, where ArcelorMittal has decided “to postpone its investment in the decarbonization of the site”, according to the Minister Delegate in charge of Industry, Marc Ferracci.
ArcelorMittal employs “3,200 direct permanent workers in Dunkirk, between 8,000 and 9,000 including indirect jobs”, according to Gaëtan Lecocq, general secretary of the CGT at ArcelorMittal Dunkerque. Benoît Jean-Leroy, CFDT delegate of ArcelorMittal Reims, denounces ArcelorMittal’s desire to “keep out of Europe in favor of the United States, India and Brazil”.
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How is the union planning to support the employees affected by the job cuts at ArcelorMittal in France?
**Interview with Jean-Pierre Martin, Union Representative at ArcelorMittal**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Jean-Pierre. We have just learned about the closure of the ArcelorMittal service centers in Reims and Denain, which will affect 136 employees. Can you tell us more about the reasons behind this decision?
**Jean-Pierre Martin:** Thank you for having me. Yes, the announcement of the closures is deeply concerning for our workforce. The main reason provided by management is a sharp drop in activity, likely influenced by current market conditions and the transition to greener production methods. These decisions are never easy, especially when it affects such a significant portion of our local workforce.
**Interviewer:** That’s certainly impactful. The union has indicated that nearly a quarter of the workforce in France will be affected. How do you foresee the support for those losing their jobs?
**Jean-Pierre Martin:** The unions, including CGT, FO, and CFDT, are working closely to ensure that support is available for those affected. Management has proposed 19 reclassifications for positions at other ArcelorMittal Service Centers and 20 additional offers within the group. However, this still leaves many employees uncertain about their future. We’re advocating for as many reassignments as possible, including options for temporary staff.
**Interviewer:** What can you tell us about the timeline for these closures?
**Jean-Pierre Martin:** Production cessation is planned for June, but for non-production roles, some departures could start as early as April. This phased approach will help to facilitate the transition, but it also adds to the stress for employees who will have to seek new opportunities soon.
**Interviewer:** Given the closures in Reims and Denain, are there any broader implications you foresee for ArcelorMittal’s operations in France?
**Jean-Pierre Martin:** Absolutely. These closures might signal a trend towards further consolidations and could raise concerns about the company’s long-term commitment to the workforce in France. It’s crucial that management not only focuses on profitability but also on the social aspects of these decisions impacting communities.
**Interviewer:** What steps are the unions taking to address these changes and support affected workers?
**Jean-Pierre Martin:** We are organizing meetings to keep our members informed and to collect their concerns and suggestions. We’re also advocating for better severance packages and negotiating terms to ensure affected workers have adequate support as they transition to new jobs. Solidarity among union members remains strong, and we intend to fight for our rights.
**Interviewer:** Jean-Pierre, thank you for sharing these insights, and we wish you and your colleagues the best as you navigate this challenging situation.
**Jean-Pierre Martin:** Thank you for having me. It’s important to keep the conversation going, and we appreciate the support from the community.
