After having called off a strike last week following negotiations with National Beer Factories (FNC), The union is analyzing the company’s proposal for a possible reopening of the Minas plant but with fewer workers.
Last week, the Federation and Beverage Workers (FOEB) decided to lift the strike starting this Friday after FNC committed to evaluating whether the company’s plant in Mines.
From there, a new window of agreement emerged between the union and the company in a meeting held on Monday with the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS) as an intermediary.
The proposal of FNC is to reopen the plant in Minas but with fewer workers, approximately 50, while the negotiation stages between the two parties continued to advance. Previously, the plant had a total of 150 workers: 100 of them permanent, 20 seasonal workers and 30 non-union workers.
“They proposed a very low number of workers. You have to see what positions they want to fill and after that the union will make a counterproposal,” said the president of the Federation of Beverage Workers and Employees (FOEB), Fernando Ferreirato The Observer.
In that sense, the company promised to put the proposal in writing and both parties wait until next Thursday where there will be a new meeting at the headquarters of the MTSS. With this new proposal, the Minas plant would be dedicated to the production of Patricia beer in 1-liter bottles, as well as the can packaging line that was carried out at the plant. Montevideo.
The Imesi solution
Before this proposal, the government was analyzing the possibility of establishing the return of the Imesi due to the use of returnable containers, a measure that was in force until 2021. Although it would currently come with modifications, it could improve the conditions of competitiveness from FNC.
In fact, the minister Mario Arizti had highlighted the good negotiating climate, and the willingness of both parties to review their initial positions. The leader had anticipated that there is “a month and 15 days to try to move forward” and was optimistic: “If we move forward, we reach agreements, a capable closure will not occur.”
On the labor side, Arizti mentioned the unemployment insurance, a program of job reconversion and the flexibility in collective agreements as alternatives.
The political will of Lacalle Pou
The management of MTSS in the conflict it was fundamental and this was anticipated by the former president Luis Lacalle Pou, who admitted that he was going to make “every effort” to reverse the closure of the FNC plant in Minas, which occurred due to problems of competitiveness.
“The problem in the sector is not a new issue, but it is up to this government,” he said, alluding to the fact that the complications come from previous administrations. At the same time, he admitted concern “about the number of people who work in Mines”which is about 150 people.
“We are talking with the company and the workers. We are going to make every effort to keep it open, we are in negotiations. For now it is the Minister of Labor who represents the government,” he said days ago. Lacalle Pou.
Source: Ambito
