Demonstration in Luxembourg: Unions oppose job cuts at ArcelorMittal!

Demonstration in Luxembourg: Unions oppose job cuts at ArcelorMittal!

On May 21, 2025, over 100 trade unionists from different European countries gathered in front of the ArcelorMittal headquarters in Luxembourg. The protest, at which a delegation from Ghent was also present, was directed against the company's controversial plans to relocate administrative jobs to India and Poland. According to the Christian Union, up to 190 jobs are at risk in Belgium, including around 100 jobs in Ghent. Across Europe, more than 2,000 workers could be affected by this move, which has caused great concern among trade unions.

The unions also criticized the lack of transparency from management regarding these plans. The next meeting of the European Works Council is scheduled for June 12th in Luxembourg, where it will be announced at which locations jobs will have to be cut. This further raises uncertainty for employees while unions insist on open communication.

Additional protests against job cuts

Parallel to the protests in Luxembourg, around 30 ArcelorMittal employees demonstrated at the company's general meeting. Their action took place at the same time as the announcement that around 600 jobs were to be cut at seven industrial sites in northern France, which further unsettled the affected workers. A total of 115 and 300 jobs will be affected at the locations in Dunkirk and Florange, which will further drive down job cuts.

Union representatives took part in a virtual meeting with Marc Ferracci, France's industry and energy minister, earlier this morning. The background for the job cuts lies in the crisis in the European steel industry. In Florange, support functions such as IT, sales, accounting and finance are predominantly affected. Jérôme Baron, the CFDT manager in Florange, expressed his concern and found it contradictory that ArcelorMittal is paying dividends while at the same time cutting jobs.

Demands for long-term solutions

The unions are calling for a round table with ArcelorMittal, unions and the French state to define long-term projects to stabilize jobs and industry. The next meeting of the Social and Economic Committee (CSE) will take place next week, where more precise figures on job cuts will be announced. These developments increase pressure on ArcelorMittal and highlight the challenges facing the European steel industry.

In light of these significant events, unions are calling for more transparent communication from the company and sustainable solutions for employees affected by job losses. The situation remains tense as debates continue over the future of steel production in Europe.

To learn more about the protests, read the detailed reports at BRF and Lesseniel.