IndustriAll Europe affiliates FIM CISL, FIOM CGIL and UILM are jointly calling on Wärtsilä workers and their families, and citizens of Trieste to take part in a massive demonstration on 3 September.

The trade unions condemn the company’s blunt announcement in mid-July to shut down all production activities at its Trieste plant and its subsequent refusal to discuss alternatives.

700 direct and indirect jobs are at stake and hundreds of families were left in shock when the announcement was made in the press on 14 July.  Management had persistently denied such plans before.

Following the announcement, the Italian trade unions immediately demanded a dialogue on alternatives, supported by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development. So far, the company has not responded to the demand. Despite relentless efforts and multiple actions by local workers, including an 8-hour strike in early August and a 24/7 picket line in front of the factory gates, the Wärtsilä management is sticking to its plans.

IndustriAll Europe stands in solidarity with the workers who are fighting for the future of their jobs and site, and assures its full support for the demonstration. 

Luc Triangle, General Secretary of industriAll Europe:

‘’The behaviour of Wärtsilä management is unacceptable!

“We strongly criticise the company’s blatant disregard of its legal duties to inform and consult the local trade union representatives at the Trieste plant, as well as the European representatives of Wärtsilä’s European Works Council. A month and a half after the announcement, such consultations should have been well underway!

“Our demands are clear: the company must immediately enter into dialogue about a viable, long-term industrial and employment plan for the Trieste site. Any dismissal procedures and dismantling of the production facilities must be stopped immediately.”

Together with its Italian affiliated trade union organisations, industriAll Europe will continue to closely monitor the situation and consider further actions.

Notes to the editor:

Solidarity letter to FIOM-CGIL, FIM-CISL, UILM-UIL: EN, IT

Contact: Andrea Husen-Bradley, 0032-473-734363 (press and communication), Aline Conchon (senior policy adviser)

IndustriAll European Trade Union represents the voice of 7 million working men and women across supply chains in manufacturing, mining and energy sectors across Europe. We aim to protect and advance the rights of the workers. Our federation has 181 trade union affiliates in 38 European countries. Our objective is to be a powerful player in the European political arena vis-à-vis European companies, European industries, employers’ associations and European institutions.