To the problems already caused by the tire industry in the country, now one more is added: the impossibility of reaching an agreement in the salary negotiation can mean that as of this Wednesday the union of the sector, which has already removed from collaboration and is working on regulations, implement force measures that stop production for an indefinite period of time and complicate the supply to automakers and the replacement market.
Jorge Marascio, general manager of the Chamber of the Tire Industry, transmitted to THE NATION the version of the local manufacturing companies, the multinationals Pirelli and Bridgestone, and the national Fate, which They fear that, if an agreement is not reached tomorrow before 6:00 p.m., the last day of the mandatory conciliation, the union will comply with its warning of initiating an extreme conflict of indefinite duration, which would imply the cessation of the three tire plants that are in Argentina.
The companies mention that what had been agreed at first was a revision of the increases agreed in April taking into account the inflation of the period, “But the union presented a request outside the agreement that refers to the payment of 200% of the hours worked at the end of the week, that is, triple rate.”
If this request from the union is accepted, the companies would have, according to estimates, a cost increase of 15%, something that would reduce their competitiveness. “Manufacturers tell me that there are many local factors that influence competitiveness, but there is an issue that has become critical in recent times: the labor cost, which is made up on the one hand of the rate, that is, how much is paid, and on the other, productivity, that is, how much is produced at different levels of labor,” said Marascio.
The issue of costs in this industry was recently analyzed by the Secretary of Internal Trade, in charge of Roberto Feletti, who requested information from the companies. “Manufacturers have responded in a timely manner to that request. But, if this requirement of the union were implemented, it would be necessary to review increases in both costs and prices, ”explained a man from the industry.
Asked regarding this issue, Javier Madanes Quintanilla, owner of Fate, stated that the survival of the sector is in danger. And he added: “This is not a wage conflict. This goes further.”
THE NATION He wanted to know the version of the Single Union of Argentine Tire Workers (Sutna), but did not receive any response.
Thus given the things, and If there is no last-minute agreement, the companies foresee great damage and setbacks for the industry, as well as damages for the workers. who, as they claim, will suffer loss of wages during the conflict and will put their jobs at risk.
The manufacturing companies, through the chamber that groups them, detailed the triple negative impact that a cessation of activities would bring: On the industry side, there would be a lack of supply to automakers and various types of transportation; For the economy in general, there would be a loss of exports and foreign currency and –for consumers–, shortages of locally manufactured tires.
