The Alicante town of Verger is again in the spotlight as it faces a significant development at a longtime local facility. Reports indicate that the plant, which has a history of more than five decades and is tied to a well-known food group, may be nearing a shutdown. The site currently hires around ninety workers and has specialized in producing toast bread and other snack items. The potential closure is being discussed after the management team notified staff of the decision last week, prompting a measured response from the workforce and their representatives. This facility has long stood as a regional reference point, weaving a local economy that previously relied on processing and tourism more than on heavy industry, according to union observers.
According to a formal communication from the company leadership, a negotiation window of thirty days has been established. During this period, the aim is to explore the best possible outcome for the employees while safeguarding as much of the plant’s activity as possible. The focus is on employment continuity, preserving operations, and identifying resources to support workers through any transition.
Shortly after the news broke, a meeting of the workers council was convened. The staff approved a schedule for assembly and planned mobilizations to prevent an abrupt shutdown if it proves necessary. In a statement issued by the union, workers conveyed to Bimbo management that they intend to resist any action that would undermine their jobs and industry. The tone of the meeting underscored a willingness to defend existing employment and to push for alternatives that could maintain production in some form.
Some participants expressed confusion about the reasons behind the decision attributed to CC OO’s Grupo Bimbo. They noted that production on the roasting line had already fallen, and they pressed the company to clarify the current state of the facility. Management, for their part, suggested that there was no immediate rational reason to abandon the site, and that a calm approach had been consistently conveyed to staff. They acknowledged that moving forward with drastic measures would be traumatic, especially given that the group had already closed another plant in Paracuellos near Madrid about a year and a half earlier.
Unity has rejected the strategy proposed by Grupo Bimbo. The union argues that evacuating contents from the Alicante factory does not have to mean the end of activity and believes production could continue at the Verger site if a viable plan is pursued. There is also discussion about aligning any remaining operations with recent policy moves, such as the opening of a Takis production line at a separate facility in Santa Perpètua, near Barcelona, which could illustrate a path to preserving some form of manufacturing activity while restructuring.
In the days ahead, the executive committee of the CCOO at Grupo Bimbo plans another round of meetings to dissect the circumstances that led to the closure consideration and to outline potential support measures for workers. The conversations are expected to focus on ensuring a fair transition for those affected, including opportunities for retraining and placement assistance where feasible. The broader goal is to balance the company’s strategic needs with a commitment to the local workforce and the regional economy that has depended on this plant for decades. With a delicate period of negotiation underway, both sides acknowledge the importance of a transparent process that can yield a constructive outcome for employees, the plant, and the communities involved. [Citation: CCOO report, 2024]