BNamericas reported that Sindipa metalworkers union in Brazil's Minas Gerais state will demand the rehiring of 810 workers let go this week by steelmaker Usiminas in a court hearing in state capital Belo Horizonte on June 1st 2009.

A union spokesperson told BNamericas that "This was an arbitrary decision by Usiminas because it did not talk with the union.” In addition to the 810 workers, 516 employees chose to take part in the company's voluntary dismissal program during May 4 to 22.

The spokesman said that "It was agreed that during the voluntary dismissal period no mandatory dismissals were allowed.”

Out of the 810 layoffs, 400 employees worked at Usiminas' Ipatinga mill in Minas Gerais and the rest at Cubatão in São Paulo state.

According to Sindipa, 1,428 metalworkers lost their jobs from January through March in the Ipatinga region, including 123 at the Usiminas Mecanica branch.

(Sourced from BNamericas)