Nearly 400 people between workers of the Fagor plant in Tafalla have been demonstrating in the streets of Cidacos under the banner “No to the dismissals in Fagor Ederlan Tafalla”. The workers have been on strike for 24 hours over a decision by the company to reduce its workforce. This is the second 24 hour stoppage at the plant in recent weeks.
The workers wanted to show their displeasure with changes that led to the dismissal of 117 workers.
“In the committee we are arranged to negotiate in these 15 days, but we do not see in the company a negotiation spirit”, said Julian Martinez, president of the union.
The committee (union) of Fagor Ederlan Tafalla allege that changes contain several irregularities, thus it is working at the moment to prove invalidity of the redundancies are declared legally as being wrong. “Irregularities in the selection of affected workers occur, selecting to people who have not accepted voluntary reductions in her wage”, they indicated union sources.
Before the file of regulation of use from the committee they remember that they are prepared to continue negotiating and insist on the necessity that it is reversed in the plant of Fagor Ederlan Tafalla, “the viability of the company is in making investments in the plant. 20 years ago when the Mondragon group entered it promised an investment but, what was promised has not been fulfilled”, said the committee. “Still we hoped that we pruned to reach an agreement, but see that the company only wants to impose”, they conclude.
When concluding the manifestation the workers read an official notice in the Place of Navarre in which they remember that “nor accepting the reduction of 15% of the wage we obtained a future guarantee some. We cannot imagine that the institutions can allow that upsetting is consumed”, relate.
Essentially the dispute seems to centre around the fact that Fagor appear to be attempting to cut the workers wages by up to 15% whilst also making staffing cuts. Given the strength of feeling from the union it would appear unlikely that this dispute will be solved quickly.