Significant progress in the employment regulation dossier involving the Ford Almussafes plant emerged after a new negotiating round between the multinational and the unions. The company put forward an offer this afternoon aimed at facilitating early retirement for a substantial portion of the workforce. In total, 1,144 employees, roughly one fifth of the plant’s workforce, would be affected by this measure. The proposal was presented in the wake of a broader layoff plan announced earlier in the year and seeks to mitigate the consequences at the factory site.
The proposal specifies that workers currently aged 53 and 54 would be eligible for early retirement with unemployment benefits beginning at 70 percent of their statutory salary, rising to 75 percent once they reach the age of 57. This shift would be accompanied by a staged transition that aligns the pension-related benefits with the workers’ ages and contribution histories. The document outlining the offer was shared with the plant community and its representatives as part of ongoing discussions about the best path forward for those nearing retirement and for younger employees entering the workforce.
A notable departure from previous offers is the limitation on the duration of the Special Contract for Employment Termination. The premium period would extend up to 61 years for those retiring at 53 and up to 62 years for those separating at 54. The United General Workers union at the plant, UGT, characterized these terms as unsatisfactory and not aligned with a future retirement age of 63. The arrangements could effectively push the official retirement age upward by as much as five years, which in turn risks reducing pension amounts if the required years of contribution are not met. This stance reflects concerns about long-term financial security for workers who choose early retirement under these conditions.
final offer
Beyond the issue of early retirement, UGT notes that the company appears to favor the departure of its younger employees. The proposal also contemplates an increase in the quantities offered and, according to the plant management, a ninth and final compromise session would take place the following day. The union center reiterated its position, hoping management would acknowledge their arguments and improve both early retirement terms and the conditions for the youngest workers to leave. The aim remains to prevent any undesirable outcomes that could impact the plant’s workforce balance and morale.