ROME, FEBRUARY 28 – 24 hours after the start of the redundancy fund procedure for 550 workers on rotation, the dispute with Portovesme srl, in the Sulcis region, has escalated. As happened in the past with other clamorous protests that hit an industrial center that had been in crisis for some time, four workers climbed the chimney of the KSS plant on the lead line to a height of 100 meters to try to avert what the trade unions define as a “social disaster ” caused by the expensive energy that jeopardizes the productive activities that devour hundreds of megawatts. The increases have thus affected the multinational Glencore, which controls the plant, forced to pay from just over 20 euros up to almost 800 euros per megawatt. Until now the company, on the basis of an agreement signed at the end of January, had suspended the start of the cig procedure pending an agreement on the price of energy, but “so far – confirms the CEO of Portovesme srl, Davide Garofalo – there have only been discussions without ever arriving at results that could lead to a solution”. Thus the workers have once again chosen the path of a sensational protest to solicit a confrontation on national tables. The appointment was set today by the Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso for Friday 3 March at 10 with the undersecretary Fausta Bergamotto, the Sardinia Region, local institutions, companies and social partners. However, the announcement was not enough for the workers above the chimney: at least for tonight, the four will remain at a height of 100 meters with sleeping bags and tents to protect themselves from the cold and rain. (HANDLE).
(HANDLE)