Steel workers strike ends at Algerian plant

Thousands of workers at steel giant ArcelorMittal's plant in Algeria ended a strike on Sunday, saying their demands had been met. About 1,000 staff had downed tools Saturday at the El Hadjar complex in Annaba, 600 kilometres (375 miles) east of the capital Algiers.
The negotiated deal gives employees an immediate 10 percent rise in base salary retroactive to January. This can increase to 18 percent contingent on plant productivity and company forecasts, said a union source.
Union official Smain Kouadria expressed his "commitment to maintaining social peace" at the plant and doing all he could to guarantee the plant's future.
Before the strike began, director general of the Annaba plant, Vincent Le Gouic, had indicated he was ready to agree on an 18 percent rise in base salary from June 1 in a document sent to the union. Workers have gone on strike four times since the beginning of last year.