Sifi, union agreement in Catania: layoffs reduced from 52 to 43 and incentives for voluntary departure

After weeks of intense discussions, the trade unions Filctem Cgil, Femca Cisl, and Uiltec Uil of Catania, along with the Rsu, have obtained from Sifi, a company represented by Angelo Tudisco (Human Resources) and Confindustria Catania, the acceptance of the union counterproposal presented on March 5.

The main result of the agreement concerns the reduction of redundancies from 52 to 43 units, out of the 369 workers present, with the company's commitment to further reduce by another 4 positions through resignations or voluntary exits.

The agreement was reached at the end of the seventh meeting held yesterday morning at the Confindustria Catania headquarters and will now be submitted for ratification by the workers' assembly convened for March 12.

The agreement provides for absolute priority for voluntary exits, accompanied by a system of significant economic incentives, calculated in net monthly salaries based on the average of the last quarter of remuneration, in addition to the Tfr and the substitute notice indemnity. An individual settlement is also provided for under articles 410 and 411 of the civil procedure code, to be formalized within 10 days from the communication of dismissal, with payment of entitlements by December 31, 2026.

For any remaining cases, the criteria set forth in article 24 of Law 223/1991 will apply, with priority given to family burdens, followed by length of service and technical, productive, and organizational needs.

Dismissals, if necessary, must be carried out within 120 days from the signing of the agreement, with worked or compensated notice. The company must also proceed with communication to Inps within 7 days.

The parties have agreed to extend the union phase until March 20. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday the 12th at 3 PM at the Sifi plant.

For the general secretary of Filctem Cgil, Jerry Magno, «this is an important, albeit partial result, achieved thanks to the determination of the workers and the united action of the trade unions, which has allowed for a significant reduction in the number of redundancies and to obtain more protective economic conditions for any voluntary exits. The assembly on March 12 will now represent a decisive step: it will be the workers who will evaluate the proposed agreement and decide whether to proceed with the ratification of the agreement or continue the path of mobilization and dialogue to protect employment and the future of the plant».