Workers who went to their positions interpret that the situation is on the way to a solution, but the management denies guaranteeing the jobs
The owner of Sargadelos, Segismundo García, maintains his challenge to the Labor Inspection after irregularities were detected regarding «crystalline silica dust» in the factory in Cervo (Lugo). However, he clarifies that he does not intend for «a closure» but rather to «protect the health of the workers until the problem is resolved.»
In a new letter dated this Thursday and addressed to «various heads of departments,» Segismundo García recounts that they have received some «threats from some authorities» warning that the emblematic Galician company could face «several serious responsibilities» if the workers are not allowed to return. On Thursday, the factory doors were found closed.
However, Segismundo García argues that these are positions that are «contaminated or contaminated,» according to the Labor Inspection itself. «Forgive our ignorance and good faith, we do not intend for a closure,» states the owner of Sargadelos, just 24 hours after communicating in another letter to the labor department the closure of the facilities «due to the impossibility of resolving the deficiencies detected within the deadline,» a total of 36 deficiencies that resulted in a fine of 5,000 euros.
In his new letter on Thursday, the businessman describes how a labor inspector, whom he defines as «friendly» and even provides his name, visited the site that day. «When asked if work could already be done in the production facilities, he refers to what has already been done but mentions that there may be flexibility in the deadlines given for correcting the deficiencies and that he sees no problem with the workers accessing their positions,» explains García. He contrasts this with the previous inspector’s requirement for the company to «take immediate action» to address measures in the factory, whose facilities are considered a Cultural Heritage Site.
Therefore, Sargadelos maintains «the impossibility of implementing ordered measures» and advocates for «the cessation of activity for the personnel most exposed to crystalline silica dust, in order to protect the health of the workers.» However, García mentions in his new letter that they received «several phone calls» with the message that they should not «dramatize… and that the personnel should return to their positions.»
In his challenge to the Labor Inspection, Segismundo García emphasizes in the letter the request for «clarification regarding our health obligations» and even puts the ball in the court of the labor authority for these to be «formally notified and assuming responsibility for any occupational diseases that may arise as ordered by the competent authority.»
DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS
After spending hours outside the Cervo plant, the workers who arrived at their positions on Thursday morning were able to have a meeting with Segismundo García, who reassured them, although he conveyed that he did not know when the situation would be resolved.
Several workers who participated in that meeting interpret that the message conveyed is that the situation is on the way to a solution. Although some even mentioned on their way out that García assured them they would continue to receive their salaries, sources close to Segismundo García contacted Europa Press to deny that in that meeting the executive explicitly guaranteed the jobs and stated that he expects them to return to work next week.
However, upon leaving, both workers and union representatives interpreted that there would be no dismissals after Segismundo García asked for time to negotiate a resolution to the conflict and told them to «be calm.» The workers decided to return this Friday at their usual time — 7:00 a.m. — «to comply» and avoid any accusations of not being at their workplace until 3:00 p.m.
The Government of Galicia intervened on Thursday through the Minister of Employment, also an entrepreneur, José González, who requested the Labor Inspection to show «maximum flexibility within the legal framework» with Sargadelos and urged the owner to reopen the Cervo factory.
Even the Galician President, Alfonso Rueda, advocated for providing «facilities» so that Sargadelos can comply with the measures imposed by Labor and avoid closure.
The Mayor of Cervo, Dolores García (PP), went to Sargadelos early to meet with both the workers and the company’s management, «with the intention of reaching an agreement as soon as possible» to prevent the closure of this emblematic factory.
«EMPLOYER CLOSURE»
Outside the factory gates, the labor inspector had already warned on Thursday morning that it was an «employer closure» and had stated that it was «outside the legal framework.» Sources from the Ministry of Labor consulted by Europa Press pointed out that the resolution of the conflict — considering that there is no record of an ERE being opened — is in the hands of the employer.
Without union representation for years, after conflicts with the owner of Sargadelos like the one involving the former committee president Rogelia Mariña, the staff was assisted on Thursday by representatives such as José Antonio Zan (CC.OO.) and Xurxo Caldeiro (CIG).