Alcan packaging workers to get 14-day notice of any sale: union

The European Works Council of Alcan Packaging, facing imminent spinoff by new owner Rio Tinto, has won a 14-day commitment that an extraordinary meeting would be held before any sale is announced, the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions said Thursday. Following "frank" discussions during EWC meetings on July 25, where Alcan President and CEO Richard Evans reiterated Rio's intent to sell Alcan's packaging businesses, "the commitment to examine potential buyers was welcome news to packaging industry workers and their trade unions," ICEM said in a statement. The 14-day advance notice is "an important check-and-balance on corporate governance," ICEM said. Evans told the EWC that Rio Tinto was hopeful of selling the collection of packaging businesses of as block, that there are serious buyers, and that a sale agreement could be completed soon, the ICEM added. ICEM is a global union federation of 389 trade unions in 119 countries.