Sidenor workers protest in Azkoitia against layoffs

Unions criticize the company's stance and demand an industrial plan to ensure the plant's future.

Entrance to the Sidenor industrial plant in Azkoitia.
IA

Entrance to the Sidenor industrial plant in Azkoitia.

Workers at the Sidenor plant in Azkoitia held a demonstration this morning to denounce their current situation and oppose the forced transfer of 32 employees to other facilities.

Over a hundred people marched through the streets of Azkoitia in a protest called by the ELA and LAB unions. The main goal was to express opposition to the measures taken by Sidenor, which have threatened local job stability following the decision to relocate staff to Reinosa.
Worker representatives have denounced the company's lack of willingness to negotiate, claiming that management attempted to impose a "covert layoff process." According to the committee, alternative solutions such as early retirement or voluntary departures were rejected by the company.

"Sidenor has never wanted to negotiate and has tried to impose a covert layoff process."

the works council
During the demonstration, the lack of support from public institutions was also highlighted. Employees have demanded that management and authorities present an industrial plan to secure the future of the Azkoitia plant and prevent similar events from recurring.
Amidst this conflict, the staff will hold an assembly next Wednesday, the 27th. During the meeting, workers will vote on whether to maintain their current works council following a recent signature collection process.