MEXICO CITY – Steelmaker ArcelorMittal (NYSE: MT) said on Friday a group of workers was continuing an “illegal blockade” at the facilities of its Mexican unit, a day after the company announced the end of a 55-day stoppage.
“Unfortunately, a group of dissidents has chosen to continue the illegal blockade with acts of violence, putting at risk the safety of the workers,” the company said in a statement.
The workers union that had been leading the protests told Reuters it did not have any immediate comment.
ArcelorMittal (NYSE: MT) announced on Thursday the end of the blockade at its Lazaro Cardenas facilities in the southern state of Michoacan after workers approved a new settlement including a pay hike.
A Michoacan government source close to the matter said the strike has not been lifted and that workers would meet again with the mine’s representatives to continue negotiations.
“The union members are already divided among themselves”, he added.
Workers affiliated with the mining union had been protesting since late May against the annual profit distribution to employees, bringing all activities to a halt.
ArcelorMittal, one of the world’s largest steel and mining companies, last year generated over $68 billion in sales.
It reported on Thursday an estimated loss of 1 million metric tons in steel output due to the strike, according to a statement.
(Source: ReutersReuters)
