The UGT rejects Ford’s proposal in Almussafes for a new ERE and demands “the same conditions” as the previous ones.

The UGT-Ford Assembly rejects the company’s proposal for a new employment rules file (ERE) at the Almussafes plant (Valencia) and proposes to negotiate an ERE that “guarantees the same conditions” as the previous ones. This is clear from the proposal unanimously approved by the union at an extraordinary meeting held this Saturday and which will be defended next Monday, the 17th, at the ERE bargaining meeting before the plant management.

This meeting of the plant’s majority union was called after Ford’s Almussafes plant management told unions on Wednesday that the new ERE would affect 1,622 workers – out of a workforce of 4,800 – of which 626 would be permanent incentive layoffs and 996 would be objective layoffs with a preference for rehiring in 2027, the year when the new multi-energy vehicle the plant will produce is scheduled to launch.

In this sense, the union organization agreed to oppose the proposal for layoffs with a preference for rehiring and to try to negotiate an ERE that “guarantees the same conditions” as the case closed in April 2023, in which 1,124 employees left the company. . Valencia Plant through early retirement plans and exit incentive programs. It is also the fourth ERE in Almussafes since Ford began restructuring in Europe in 2018.

The union also demanded agreement on a RED Temporary Rules of Employment (ERTE) mechanism or, alternatively, a plan with “similar guarantees,” while agreeing that “in any case, the wage supplement should guarantee up to 90% of the salary.”

Finally, UGT-Ford agreed that at its next meeting with plant management it would request renewed calls for career development plans, as well as a commitment to convene an electrification oversight commission to “review in advance any measure that either party deems necessary.” ”

Following the meeting last Wednesday, the company explained that “the plant currently has a surplus of approximately 1,600 staff.” “Of these 1,600 employees, it is estimated that around 600 are structural, while a transition solution could be agreed for a further 1,000 until production of the new vehicle begins,” the company said in a statement.

As such, Ford said it is “committed to working constructively with employee legal representation and national and local governments to find every possible opportunity to reduce the impact on Ford employees, their families and the local community.”

This new ERE was proposed after management announced the launch of a new multi-energy vehicle in mid-2027, which will be produced at the Valencia plant. It is a global car whose annual production will reach 300,000 units.

Ford management has assured that the intention to negotiate this ERE does not change the company’s goals for producing this model. It’s worth remembering that Almussafes currently only produces the Ford Kuga, after production of the Transit van ceased on April 17th.