“It’s surprising because it’s a brutal solution. We are very worried because we have people who have spent their lives in laboratories. The age pyramid reflects a high average age. Finding a job at 50 will be a challenge for those who have to leave Arcelor”, warns Agnès Laurent, trade union representative (FO). The ax fell on Tuesday 19 November. In a press release, ArcelorMittal management announced a reorganization that will lead to the elimination of around a hundred positions in Reims (Marne) and around thirty in Denain (North).
“When I see all these young people crying in the locker room”
“This project involves the possible closure of the SSC production sites in Reims and Denain. In a difficult economic context, the ArcelorMittal Service Center company is facing a sharp decline in business among its industrial and automotive customers,” explains the management in its press release. Insufficient justifications in the eyes of the unions who denounce its factories in the United States, Brazil and India. They are worried about the group’s disengagement in Europe. According to them, Reims and Denain could be the first of a long series.
“The closure is announced to us to keep the company in good health. The automotive market is down 30% since 2019. But a recovery in activity is expected for 2026. Rather than reduce the workforce at some sites, management prefers to close two sites. In six months perhaps we will talk about the possible closure of other sites”, worries Benoît Jean-Leroy, trade union representative (CFDT) at the ArcelorMittal Service Centers site in Reims.
If yesterday, Wednesday 20 November, the company was at a standstill, the Interunion did not call a strike today or tomorrow. The big day of the mobilization is scheduled for next Monday. “We ask for much more marked action,” explains Benoît Jean-Leroy. We invite all employees to strike during the CSE which will be held on Monday 25 November in the afternoon. »
In the changing rooms of this factory specialized in the transformation of steel coils, despair has given way to anger and incomprehension. There are those who say they are ready to roll up their sleeves to defend their jobs once again, like Fabrice, 52 years old, who joined production at the Rémoise plant in 1999. «We don’t see how the management could make it work, we I still have a little hope that the factory won’t close… I will mobilize with my colleagues even if we are all down in the dumps. This is my third social plan! When I see all these young people crying in the changing rooms, they have bought houses and will find themselves with mortgages on their shoulders, it is very hard. We always adapted to new tools, we were there to work overtime… We fought to save our factory and then everything collapsed. »
Negotiations on the future of the one hundred employees will begin on Monday afternoon during a CSE which will be held in Reims and not in Metz, as initially planned.
How can ArcelorMittal manage the transition for laid-off workers to minimize the negative consequences of these layoffs?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Labor Expert Agnès Laurent
Time.news Editor: Good morning, Agnès. Thank you for joining us today. The recent news about ArcelorMittal’s planned layoffs in Reims and Denain has sent shockwaves through the community. Can you give us an overview of what these layoffs mean for the workers involved?
Agnès Laurent: Good morning, and thank you for having me. These layoffs are indeed alarming. We’re looking at around a hundred positions being eliminated in Reims and about thirty in Denain. The decision impacts not just the employees, but also the local economy and the families of these workers. Many of them have devoted their lives to this industry, and at their age, finding a new job is going to be a tremendous challenge.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned the age composition of the workforce. How does the age pyramid of ArcelorMittal’s workforce play a role in this situation?
Agnès Laurent: The age pyramid is skewed—many of our workers are over 50. This means they have extensive experience but are also at a disadvantage in a job market that often favors younger candidates. The prospects for them to secure new employment, especially given the current economic climate, are quite bleak.
Time.news Editor: The management has cited a significant decline in business among industrial and automotive customers as a justification for the closures. How do you view their reasoning?
Agnès Laurent: The management’s decision to close these sites due to a 30% downturn in the automotive market since 2019 seems overly drastic. Rather than reducing the workforce strategically at multiple sites, they opted for closures. This raises concerns about the future of other sites in Europe and reflects a worrying trend of disengagement. We fear that this could be the beginning of a series of closures if they find it ‘necessary’ to maintain profits.
Time.news Editor: That’s quite concerning. You mentioned the potential impact on the broader industry as well. What does this mean for the future of ArcelorMittal in Europe?
Agnès Laurent: It’s a critical juncture. If the management continues down this path, it could signal a significant shift in their commitment to Europe. Their global operations in the United States, Brazil, and India could overshadow their European presence. If these plants in Reims and Denain go down, they might be paving the way for more layoffs and closures. It raises questions about the long-term sustainability of manufacturing in Europe.
Time.news Editor: Given the projected recovery in the automotive market expected by 2026, what alternatives could management consider instead of these closures?
Agnès Laurent: They could adopt a more collaborative approach with the workforce. Instead of immediate layoffs, they could explore options such as flexible work arrangements, retraining programs, or temporary furloughs. This would allow the company to stabilize while maintaining experienced personnel, ready for the anticipated recovery. It’s about investing in human capital to weather economic fluctuations instead of resorting to hasty decisions.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like there’s a lot at stake, not just for the employees at ArcelorMittal but for the industrial landscape in Europe as a whole.
Agnès Laurent: Absolutely. We need to consider the implications of these decisions on communities, economies, and industries. When workers are left in despair, it doesn’t just harm them—it harms society as a whole. We’re calling for the management to rethink its approach and engage in dialog with unions to consider all possibilities before making irreversible decisions.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Agnès. Your insights are invaluable in understanding the broader implications of these layoffs. We hope for a resolution that protects both the workers and the future of these plants.
Agnès Laurent: Thank you for highlighting this important issue. It’s crucial we continue to advocate for fair treatment and a responsible approach that prioritizes people over short-term profits.