Metalworkers' contract, talks on wages and working hours get off to an uphill start
Fiom, Fim and Uilm are demanding increases of EUR 280 for the three-year period 2024-2027 that are considered unsustainable by the companies of Federmeccanica and Assistal
3' min read
3' min read
Uphill start for the negotiations on the metalworkers' contract to take effect from 1 July 2024-2027: at the centre of the table was the demand for an average economic increase of 280 euro and the reduction of the working hour, two central points of the unified platform of Fiom-Cgil, Fim-Cisl and Uilm. As expected, a negative response came from the employers' associations Federmeccanica and Assistal. Let's see the positions in the field
Federmeccanica: unsustainable economic demands
For Federmeccanica, there are no conditions for these increases. The Confindustria association points out that as a result of the mechanism for adjusting ex post minimum wage rates to inflation, according to the Ipca indicator (the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices net of imported energy) calculated by ISTAT at 6.9%, in June metalworkers will have an average of EUR 137.52 (at level C3). In June last year, according to the same mechanism, an average of EUR 123.40 was recognised (again at level C3). Thus, in just two years, adjustments amounting to EUR 260 (at level C3) were recognised in metalworking, and considering the entire term of the current national contract, i.e. from June 2021, the total adjustment was EUR 310 (also at level C3).
"These are numbers that speak for themselves and show how the Ccnl has provided timely and substantial responses, resulting in an absolute guarantee wage," Federmeccanica emphasised.
200 euro flexible benefits in June
Also in June, 200 euro of flexible benefits were recognised, in addition to those of the same amount paid from 2021, for a total of 800 euro net, considering the reduction of the tax wedge. The trade unions asked to increase the flexible benefits to EUR 250, receiving a 'no' from Federmeccanica, which called on 'everyone to come to terms with the Ccnl, which must be linked to the reality of a very heterogeneous category characterised by widespread reduced profitability'.
On the other chapter, that relating to the reduction of working time, Federrmeccanica is opposed and has placed the emphasis on annual paid leave (PAR), which to date is used only in part and by a portion of employees, to argue that 'the management of PARs should be reviewed taking into account both collective needs and special cases having a solidarity nature'. The companies also pointed out that the current Ccnl already allows companies to experiment with rescheduling working hours, which in some cases is happening, recalling that in 2026 the additional week of holidays for workers with more than 18 years of seniority will be completed.
