“A discussion with the government and with Whirlpool: we need to know what the real prospects are for approximately 5.000 direct workers of the American multinational. The Government should take note of this and intervene before it is too late”. These are the words of Antonio Spera, national secretary of UGL Metalmeccanici.
“Already on February 24, during the coordination meeting in Varese, we had expressed our doubts on the matter and, in particular, on the insignificant investments for the Comunanza site, in the absence of an industrial plan. To date, there has been no concrete signal that could demonstrate Whirlpool's desire to invest in EMEA, while the statements of CEO Marc Bitzer on the need for a 'strategic review' in the Europe, Middle East and Africa area remain engraved in our memory.
The silence, which still persists, leaves no room for doubt. There is an air of disengagement, especially after a slimming treatment that includes the closure of Naples and Caserta. At this point, one wonders which plant will be the next to close”. “Obviously, the workers are in a state of agitation. In recent days, several protests have been organized in front of the Prefectures. The company has not responded to requests for discussion since May 2, so much so that tension is rising especially in Comunanza, where, after the substantial nothing done in the Prefecture, two more very difficult meetings are scheduled.
A meeting is scheduled for Friday, July 22, at the Marche Region in Ancona, and on the same day, at the Adriano Luzzi Auditorium in Comunanza, the social partners and all the national, regional, provincial and municipal authorities will meet. "Without official responses from the company, another dramatic scenario will soon open up in the world of work in our country," Spera concludes.
Article published on 19 July 2022 - 15:03
