Sector aluminum doors of a labour dispute
Written by Alejandra C. Pautt
Monday, 17 March 2008 

  Ramon Echegaray director of labor CVG Venalum warned of a possible conflict in the aluminum sector because it still is not resolved with respect to the merit increases and the payment of liabilities. "We had expectations at the meeting that sostendríamos yesterday with the president of CVG and Mibam Minister Rodolfo Sanz, but the meeting was a failure in the first term because the minister Sanz did not attend the same and secondly by the representation and Mibam the presidents of the companies do not have decision-making power, "he said Echegaray.
Because of this situation is not yet resolved the percentages for merit increases, as reported by the leaders at the meeting on last Saturday's position remained Mibam giving percentages in the order of 13, 14 and 15%.

Such as proposed by the Mibam would be cancelled as follows: 10% by this month and the 3, 4 and 5% in the month of August. The absence of the minister was described as a provocation "is a provocation by the minister to the workforce, and conclude that there is no available real breakthrough in meetings set by the minister Sanz.

Moreover reported that each company delivered the amount of liabilities owed "but there is no autonomy by the presidents of the firms to take timely decisions."

"The minister Sanz is centralizing power any movement has to be audited and approved by him, it brings negative consequences for workers since the process was long before the power concentrated in Sanz."

As an example of this situation cited the case of liabilities, which are calculated and now must be reviewed and approved by the minister Sanz "This brings a further delay for the payment of liabilities ... The minister must sincerarse with workers, or to take the necessary actions once or delegated functions, because it can with the burden. "

Thus Echegaray felt that the last meeting was decreased, reporting that on Thursday saint are summoned to a new appointment with the minister Sanz, "this situation could end in a conflict that would involve more than 12 thousand workers in the aluminum industry."

Tomorrow there will be general assemblies in each of the companies in the sector with the aim of explaining the situation to the workers and take decisions on the situation.

For his part Jose China director of labor CVG - Bauxilum and member of Suprobaux explained that "the union feels the same concern that the leaders of Venalum, now finishing the first quarter of the year without a specific response to the workers."

"It is vital to acknowledge the effort, workers have a limit and require leaders who doubt be fulfilled," noted further that the minister has the solution in their hands.

"The minister has the task of serving as agent to manage resources for companies leaving the serious crisis in which they find themselves, urgent investment and have not yet realized the development of downstream projects, it is not implemented political transformation in enterprises, "he said China.

Similarly said that three months have passed without choices, it is deemed necessary that the problem is resolved. Jose Antonio Silva Sutrapuval secretary general noted that the minister responsible Sanz "4 have held meetings without reaching a final agreement on meritocracy."

With regard to the payment of certain liabilities stressed that resources will be obtained through the recovery of tax credits should be used to cancel liabilities, also cautioned that "we do not accept the use of the resources for something else, they can be used exclusively for the payment of liabilities. "

Faced with this situation made an appeal to workers to remain alert to the actions being undertaken "will not accept more meetings or ridicule by the presidents of the companies."