Posted on 03 Dec 2025
Workers at Acciaierie d'Italia (ADI) in both Genoa and Taranto continue to strike. They are calling for immediate government intervention to withdraw the so-called "short cycle" plan that includes increasing layoffs and reducing production drastically starting in December.
The Fim, Fiom and Uilm unions have addressed a letter to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni requesting an urgent meeting. They argue the measures outlined in the government's short plan appear to be preparing the ground for a progressive shutdown of the plants. This has triggered a new wave of social tension in the regions involved, largely because of the prospect of further layoffs, large-scale upskilling and training programmes with no clear employment prospects and a significant reduction in production levels.
“We are deeply concerned by the decision to halt further production activity, which would have severe and irreversible consequences for the future prospects of the former Ilva plants,” the three unions state in a joint message obtained by Kallanish.
They insist that the short plan must be withdrawn without delay and that the shutdown of coke batteries 7, 8, 9 and 12 must be suspended. They are also calling for the immediate transfer of coils from Taranto to Genoa, Novi Ligure and Racconigi in order to safeguard the continuity of downstream production. Lastly, they are demanding an end to the removal of workers from plants to conduct training activities that are not linked to any future operational role.
Uilm secretary Rocco Palombella maintains that the government must abandon what he describes as “a plan of death” presented in November and instead ensure that every possible action is taken to protect national steel production. According to a source close to the company, Taranto is currently producing around 15,000 tonnes/month of steel using blast furnace no. 4.
The short cycle plan presented to the unions includes temporary layoffs for 6,000 workers beginning on 1 January, up from 5,700 workers in December. This is a clear increase from 4,500 temporary layoffs currently. Authorities argue the plan is intended to accelerate the programme of decarbonisation and to facilitate extensive maintenance and upgrade work on blast furnaces 2 and 4, as well as on the coke plant.
Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso insists there is no plan to shut down the plants. “Quite the opposite,” he says in a statement. “These are essential maintenance activities needed to ensure production continuity and to reach the highest possible capacity, while fully guaranteeing worker safety. I also reiterate that no further use of furlough measures is planned, as was clearly explained during the last meeting at Palazzo Chigi.”
Meanwhile, negotiations continue with the two companies that submitted bids in the ongoing ADI sales tender process. In recent weeks, discussions have been broadened to include two additional industrial groups from outside the EU that have expressed interest in acquiring the former Ilva assets. The talks will also focus on identifying areas in Taranto and Genoa that are not occupied by production facilities, so they can be made available for new industrial developments. Bedrock Industries and Flacks Group remain in the talks.
Source:Kallanish
