Algeria - ArcelorMittal industrial action

Steelworker strike over after eight days

Article published on the 2010-01-21 Latest update 2010-01-21 11:32 TU

Striking Algerian workers last week
(Photo: Reuters)

Thousands of workers at steel giant ArcelorMittal's plant in Algeria, on strike for more than a week, will return to work on Thursday after a court ordered the action be suspended. Management also plans to renovate the facility's coking plant, a key demand from the 7,200 workers who went on strike on 12 January to prevent the plant's closure.

"The company union will announce the lifting of the strike tomorrow morning during an all workers' assembly," said union head Smain Kouadria.

"We also want to express our complete satisfaction following the board of directors' adoption of a global investment plan for facilities in the complex, including the coking plant."

A court on Wednesday ordered the suspension of the strike at the El Hadjar facility after management alleged the action was illegal.

The head of ArcelorMittal-El Hadjar, Vincent Le Gouic, said the agreement reached "should correspond to what was demanded" by the union.

Because of the strike, the factory produced 3,000-tonnes less steel a day, according to ArcelorMittal spokesperson Mohamed Guedha.

Management had previously planned to invest 142 million euros to renovate the site, not including the coking plant.