The management and workers’ committee of Ford Almussafes commenced consultations this morning regarding a new Employment Regulation File (ERE) at the Valencia plant, which is set to be the largest in the factory’s history. Despite this, Ford Almussafes proposes a new ERE without specifying any layoffs and plans to extend the Temporary Employment Regulation File (ERTE) beyond June 20, according to sources from Intersindical Valenciana-STM.
Surprisingly, during the meeting held today, which had been scheduled 15 days ago to quantify the surplus generated at the factory, the company conveyed that it is still unable to do so due to the complexity of the current situation. “They have informed us that they will provide this information in the near future,” lamented Carlos Faubel, president of the workers’ committee (UGT).
In light of this, Ford management has called for another meeting with the workers’ committee next Thursday to extend the current ERTE, which presently affects around 4,700 employees. “Given this complex and unusual situation, UGT feels compelled to postpone the affiliate assembly we had planned for next Saturday until the company reconvenes to begin the consultation period,” Faubel added.
Awaiting Negotiations
This marks the second employment regulation file in just over a year at the Valencia plant. In April 2023, Ford reached an agreement with the workers’ committee for a collective layoff affecting 1,124 workers. The multinational company will soon inform the unions about the number of exits they plan to negotiate for the plant in what will be Ford’s fourth ERE in the past five years. The majority union at the plant, UGT, has already indicated that this will likely be “the largest one experienced to date.”
The new consultation period follows Ford Europe’s announcement of a new multi-energy vehicle to be launched in mid-2027, which will be produced at the Valencia factory. This global vehicle is expected to have an annual production of 300,000 units.
Currently, the Valencia plant only manufactures the Kuga model, as production of the Transit Connect van ceased last April.
Ford’s Future Plans
Meanwhile, according to Europa Press, Ford’s Chief Financial Officer, John Lawler, will have an informal discussion about the ongoing execution of Ford’s plan with automotive analyst Emmanuel Rosner at the Deutsche Bank Global Automotive Conference 2024, scheduled for June 11.