The extension of the temporary employment regulation file (ERTE) at Ford Motor Company’s Almussafes plant is anticipated to be substantial and has become a focal point for labor discussions in both the United States and Canada as auto manufacturers navigate ongoing supply chain pressures. Local union sources describe the current situation as highly unsettled, driven by a persistent shortage of component parts. During a negotiating commission meeting held on Thursday afternoon, the extension was approved under existing terms and was signed only by the plant’s dominant union, UGT. The extension is set to run through the end of July and will impact both vehicle assembly and engine production lines, shaping the factory’s calendar and the broader operational cadence for the enterprise.
In practical terms, Ford announced that Almussafes will suspend vehicle production for four days in June on the 13th, 17th, 20th, and 27th, and for six days in July on the 1st, 4th, 7th, 8th, 22nd, and 25th. In total, ten production stoppages are planned for the period covered by the ERTE. This scheduling mirrors a broader pattern observed in North American and Canadian manufacturing hubs, where shifting demand and intermittent parts deliveries often necessitate careful contingency planning and workforce management strategies.
Alongside vehicle assembly, engine line stoppages are also on the calendar. According to the schedule in place at the end of May, the assembly plant will maintain eight shutdown days in June (the 10th, 17th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 27th, and 28th). The plan for the 29th and 30th of June will be revised to accommodate new dates, with disruptions shifting to the following days, including Monday, June 6, and extending ERTE through July 1, 4, 8, 21, 22, 25, 26, and 29. These adjustments reflect the dynamic nature of modern manufacturing, where production calendars are continually tuned in response to supply-chain realities and market demand signals.
Notably, the emphasis appears to be on the mechanized engine lines. The previously scheduled strike date of June 4 is moved to June 27. Additionally, seven more days of detention are added in June on the 5th, 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th, 25th, and 26th, with eight further days added in July on the 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 23rd, and 24th. This pattern underscores how fluctuations in supplier reliability, logistics delays, and labor scheduling can reverberate through both domestic and cross-border manufacturing networks, affecting production lines across different regions in North America as companies seek to stabilize output and minimize long-term costs.
Throughout the negotiations, no change in the ERTE context was reported. In a post-meeting clarification, the UGT spokesperson at Ford, Joseph Louis Parra, reaffirmed that union leadership maintains the same position on ERTE as before, noting that the situation has not improved. Parra emphasized that if conditions brighten, the company would consider forgoing planned ERTE days to allow workers to remain on the job rather than be displaced by temporary layoffs. This stance reflects a broader trend in North American and European auto manufacturing where unions advocate for keeping workers active whenever possible to preserve skills and productivity while still providing a safety net during supply disruptions.
Following the meeting, STM-Intersindical Ford spokesperson Daniel Portillo conveyed that the union asked the company to evaluate measures supporting family life during work stoppages. He noted that adjustments are being made with careful consideration and that the exact pause dates may still change. The exchange highlights the balancing act many manufacturers face: sustaining production continuity while addressing workers’ family and financial needs when ERTE-like arrangements are in play. For stakeholders in Canada and the United States, this case illustrates how cross-border plants share common pressures—component shortages, schedule volatility, and the pursuit of workable arrangements that protect both jobs and production capacity.
Citations: Ford Almussafes plant union statements and the official ERTE extension announcements were reported by corporate press materials and union communications. These sources provide the basis for the described scheduling and the positions of the UGT and STM-Intersindical Ford on ERTE-related measures and potential adjustments depending on future conditions. This coverage helps readers understand the practical impact on plant operations and worker livelihoods, as well as the strategic considerations that accompany temporary work restrictions in a global automotive supply chain. The information reflects the operational decisions available to the factory and the negotiators involved, and it underscores how similar concerns are addressed in North American manufacturing ecosystems where labor stability and supply continuity remain central to competitiveness.