The Duro Felguera group plans to negotiate an employment regulation dossier in four Asturias centers
The Duro Felguera group is set to discuss an employment regulation dossier, an ERE, that would involve layoffs affecting a portion of the workforce at its four Asturias centers. The facilities belonging to the parent company rough felguera and its subsidiaries DFOM, Mompresa, and IHI are involved. The ERE would apply to an unspecified number of workers and would not impact the other companies and business centers in the group.
The company has acted as a representative for the workers in this essential precaution to safeguard the group’s viability and competitiveness. It notes that the current workforce exceeds the available volume of work. The company has signaled a willingness to reach a negotiated agreement, with decisions on the number of affected staff and the financial terms to be determined through talks. It expressed hope for a positive deal.
Duro Felguera emphasizes the sensitive situation it has faced recently and asserts that employability remains a priority. It states that the group can no longer sustain the current size and that decisive action is necessary to shape a sustainable future.
This is described as a basic element of the business plan, essential for maintaining competitiveness and profitability and thereby ensuring the company’s long-term future.
UGT and CCOO indicated they would request an urgent meeting to review the situation with the Principality Government, which provided six million euros in the form of participating loans as part of a provisional public rescue package.
Duro Felguera, which prioritizes recruitment and employment growth among its goals and diversification of its activities, aims to reach a sales volume of 750 million euros by 2027 according to its strategic plan.
The group reported a net profit of 22.6 million euros in 2021 after the public bailout and financial restructuring, rebounding from a loss of 171.6 million euros the year prior.
In the first quarter of the current year, Duro Felguera secured contracts worth 30.5 million euros and reached a total value of 423 million euros by the end of the period.
CCOO views Duro Felguera’s situation as very serious and worrying
CCOO in Asturias Industry described the company’s situation as very serious and worrying following management’s call for workers representatives to initiate a collective dismissal procedure affecting four group companies.
The union warns about the consequences for the companies DFOM, Mompresa, DF IHI and DFSA, stressing the impact on industrial activity in Asturias and the broader engineering sector.
CCOO notes that during the past months and years, their delegates on the company committees have repeatedly raised concerns about the company’s management and its impact on workers’ rights and the group’s future viability.
Facing the announcement, CCOO of Industry in Asturias together with UGT-FICA Asturias planned to request an urgent meeting with the head of government of the Principality to discuss industry issues and the state industrial holding company SEPI, which has recently contributed funds to support the group’s future.
UGT expresses concern about the situation
UGT’s Federation of Industry, Construction and Agriculture in Asturias has conveyed its concerns after management announced the intend to implement an employment regulation dossier in four group companies.
UGT states that it is time to show a clear commitment to Asturias and especially to its employees, noting that past management actions have harmed workers’ rights and jeopardized the group’s ability to secure a stable future. The union urges that any agreements protect employee rights and avoid measures that could undermine future sustainability of the company.
Attribution: Reported details reflect statements from the unions and the company as of the latest available updates. See official statements from the Principality Government and SEPI for context and ongoing negotiations.