The dispute over the extension of the agreement has already halted production for four days
The Mercedes plant in Vitoria experienced a strike on June 22 that was described by many as ‘historic’. That day only temporary employees went to work and production was completely stopped. The same has happened in the next three days of mobilizations that have been called since then, the last being this Wednesday.
Mercedes is considered the most important company in the Basque Country. Up to 35,000 jobs depend on production, between direct and indirect, and it contributes 5% to the GDP of the autonomous community. However, for each strike day, 700 vans are not assembled, which automatically affects the entire Basque component sector. The entire industrial fabric is looking concerned at a labor dispute that seems to be coming to a standstill.
Negotiations on the agreement appear to have reached a point of no return after 18 months of meetings. The trigger for the protests was the company’s proposal to include a sixth night shift. In return, management offered an investment of 1,230 million euros that would serve to guarantee the plant’s long-term activity.
The offer was described as “blackmail” by the unions, while management warned that the money could be lost if they did not reach an agreement. The general manager of the Mercedes plant in Vitoria, Emilio Titos, warned during the signing of an agreement with the Basque government and the provincial council of Álava that reaching an agreement on the extension of the agreement is more than recommended ” business card” was to close. the economic injection.
The labor dispute has only increased the concerns of the Basque government, which sees the investment in Mercedes as strategic. We must not forget that it is also related to the Basquevolt project, the commitment of the Urkullu Executive to position the Basque Country as a leader in the production of electric cars. That is why the lendakari himself has decided to travel to Stuttgart on Wednesday with the management of Mercedes Benz in Germany. As explained by Urkullu, the meeting has served to channel a dialogue that guarantees “investments and future projects”.
Meanwhile, at the Vitoria factory, management’s latest offer is to offer a 5% salary increase this year and 2% over the next four years, in addition to a new additional wage. Part of the committee sees it as “a progress”, not the nationalist unions who chose to maintain the strikes.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
