Jobs agreement at Nissan

Local employee representatives of CCOO, one of Spain’s main union confederations, have criticised an agreement with the Japanese car company Nissan, in relation to its plant at Ávila.

The deal provides for a two-year pay freeze, as well as early retirement for some aged 55 and over and voluntary redundancies and transfers. Working time will be increased and any new employees will have worse terms and conditions than existing staff.

The deal, which was approved by 57% of employees in a workplace ballot was described as “lamentable” by the CCOO. However, a rep from the UGT, one of the two unions that signed the agreement said it guaranteed the jobs of the 500 employed at the plant, and was the “best possible” settlement in the circumstances.