Ford Almussafes is left with a single model and is proposing temporary layoffs for 50% of its staff until June.

The majority union at Ford’s Almussafes plant, UGT, warned last week that it faces further layoffs for at least two months. It will be produced at the Valencian factory.

The reason is that from this Monday the Transit van will no longer be produced, and until the new hybrid arrives, which could take one to two years, only the Kuga, yes, the brand’s best-selling brand, will be built. model currently. The situation is therefore critical, considering that just two years ago, in 2022, Ford Almussafes launched five models (Kuga, Transit, Mondeo, S-Max and Galaxy).

In this context, UGT sources reported on Tuesday the forecast of agreement this Wednesday on a new rules file for temporary employment (ERTE), which will be in force from April 20 to June 20 and which within ten days will affect more than 2,000 workers, almost half of the workforce of 4,800 people .

The situation associated with the cessation of production of the Transit van was compounded by a problem with the supply of engine parts, as well as lower demand in the North American market, as explained by UGT after a meeting of the ERTE advisory commission. Tuesday.

Specifically, ERTE will affect 1,400 people per day in the automotive industry (800 due to the end of Transit and 600 due to lack of production) and 900 people in the engine industry. The engine plant will remain closed at all sites for 10 days; 5 days in May (20, 21, 22, 27 and 28) and 5 days in June (3, 10, 11, 17 and 18). This exposure will mean no vehicle work for four weeks on the evening shift.

The working conditions of the staff will be “exactly” the same as those agreed in the previous ERTE, UGT explained: 80% of real wages and 100% of length of service, additional pay and vacation. The union hopes that the engine situation “can be normalized in the shortest possible time,” which will also reduce the number of daily operations at the car plant, guaranteeing two-shift body II and assembly production, reducing ERTE “by almost 50.” %”.

However, despite this unforeseen development, the UGT emphasized its position that “before 20 June there must be certainty to allow long-term situations to be discussed.”

According to Intersindical, the new file will fully or partially affect 4,743 employees in vehicles (1,400), engines (900) and support units. The union warned it would only support ERTE if it did not mean a pay cut for employees and if the company covered the consumer portion of unemployment benefits.