UNI Graphical seeks guarantee for ‘anxious’ Alcan workers

The union represents staff around the world in Alcan's packaging business, which is to be sold if the £19bn (US$38bn) bid by mining group Rio Tinto succeeds.

Alcan Packaging employs more than 600 UK staff in Salterbeck, Cumbria, and Warmley, Bristol.

Alcoa is also in the bidding war after making a hostile bid of £29.50 (US$58.60) per Alcan share in May.

Although the Alcan board described this bid as inadequate and recommended that shareholders should reject it, Alcoa may raise its offer. There is also speculation among analysts that BHP Billiton may put in a bid.

"Alcan workers are anxious to know how this bidding war will affect their lives," said UNI Graphical's Adriana Rosenzvaig. "We need assurances from the top that existing agreements will be honoured and terms and conditions maintained in any takeover."

UNI has 15 million members in more than 900 unions worldwide, including Unite in the UK.

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