Hours before a new meeting between the leadership of the Single Union of Argentine Tire Workers (SUTNA) and the companies in the sector with a view to unblocking the union conflict that has confronted them for months and that led to the paralysis of the production of tiresthe president of Fiat Argentina, Martin Zuppi, called a “patch” Sergio Massa’s proposal to open imports in case no agreement is reached. Likewise, warned about firms leaving the country if they are not taken care of and he referred to how the current scenario impacts the development of his company.
consulted in Radio Continental on the statements of the Minister of Economy, who evaluates “enable manufacturing companies as emergency importers” If the dispute is not resolved, Zuppi stated: “In particular, I am convinced that what we have to look for is a solution to the conflict that exists today. We have to take into account that we have three tire production plants that supply the different brands in an automotive industry, which is very important for the Government, the market and exports. Y temporarily patching up with an import solves something in the very short term, but it does not solve the underlying problem”.
After that, he believed that the agreement between the parties should not be reached by cessation of activities. “It seems to me that conflicts can be resolved, discussed or resolved by producing. That is why we are investing and betting on Argentina”, he pointed out and insisted: “In particular, I think that this matter of importing tires is a patch within the great underlying problem for which we have to find a solution”.
Later, he talked about the difficulties faced by Sutna and the tire companies, Fate, Pirelli and Bridgestone, to reach an agreement. In that sense, she considered: “I I think it has to do with the expectations of each of the sectors. Today companies have a logical alignment with our unionwhich is Smata, and we work together to reach logical agreements and accompany the increase in inflation so that values are not lost in what are the salaries of the employees”. However, he reiterated:Not producing does not suit anyone and I do not think it is the way out”.
Along these lines, Zuppi warned about the decision that the opposing firms could take if the conflict continues. “What we have to always understand is that these multinational companies, such as Pirelli or Bridgestone, can produce tires in the region or in any other country. And the reality is that any of the companies they can break camp and go elsewhere to produce because today in Argentina they cannot find the means to do so. Hence we must take care of the industry of multinational companies that bet on Argentina and that they can produce in Argentina. You don’t have to fight it, you have to take care of it and work together, “he said.
Asked about the stock of tires that Fiat has in the midst of the cessation of operations of the companies, he indicated: “We normally work with two to three weeks of stock. Today we have just under 10 days of stock. We are better than other terminals, which I understand are already stopping their production due to lack of inputs”. However, he assured: “Although it is clear that what is coming is a problem and that If this continues, we will also have to go to standstill because we have no supplies.”
Despite the situation, the businessman stressed that until now “there was no need to stop production” and stated “optimistic” that the problem can be unlocked. “We are talking about an industry that, if it stops, loses 40 million dollars per day of production for the country. We are talking about 75 thousand employees within the sector. It is a very large chain so that this conflict is not unlocked “he concluded.
After 35 failed attempts, driving Sutnaled by Alejandro Crespo, and the tire producing companies will resume negotiations this afternoon at the Ministry of Labor with a view to resolving the trade union conflict. The meeting will take place after the fourth intermission agreed on Monday due to the lack of agreement.
In the pre-meetingagreed for 14the Minister of Labor, Claudio Moroni, held talks with the businessmen of the sector and will continue to be in contact with the parties to channel the dialogue this afternoon, they informed Telam job portfolio sources.
Faced with the possibility that the negotiation could again stall, Massa announced yesterday that it will enable tire imports and it will also make available to the automotive terminals the stock of parts seized at Customs “so that they can continue producing.”
In this context, Sutna leaders questioned the minister’s proposal and expressed: “A meeting was held to discuss the conflict, but the tire union was not asked to attend, that the voice of the workers be present. Only the bosses were heard.”