During a concentration in Bilbao, the Government of the Basque Country is held «responsible» for the shutdown of the furnace by the multinational «whenever and however it wanted.»
The workforce of Guardian Llodio, affected by an ERE leading to the extinction of 171 jobs, has denounced on Friday that, despite announcements from the Basque Government indicating the interest of investors, «to this day, there is nothing but smoke and publicity» and «the only real thing on the table» regarding the future of the plant, are their dismissals.
Employees of the company have conveyed this message in a concentration outside the headquarters of Spri, a body dependent on the Basque Government, in Bilbao to protest against the Government because the multinational has decided to stop the furnace «whenever, however, and in the way it wanted, with the Basque Government as the responsible party.»
In statements to the media, and on behalf of the employee committee, Mikel Sánchez has stated that «the only reality» known by the employees affected by the ERE is that the consultation period begins on Monday, the 3rd, and «we do not have, to this day, anything else on the table other than the dismissals of the entire workforce.»
Displaying banners with slogans like «Guardian do not close» and phrases such as «Basque Government accomplice» or «for the defense of employment in Aiaraldea,» the workers have thrown red smoke canisters and chanted phrases like «the furnace is not broken, they have ruined it» or «Guardian guilty, Government responsible.»
Sánchez has reiterated that the workers believe «the furnace is viable and can be fixed, as they have done on several occasions, because these furnaces have an expiration date and when their period of activity ends, they are replaced and a new one is installed,» contrary to what the multinational claims, stating that «a breakdown» forced the closure of the activity.
«CONTACTS»
When asked if they have had contact with the Department of Industry, the committee representative admitted that there have been contacts but they have not been informed of anything, nor have they discussed anything real or specific.»
Finally, he has pointed out that throughout the duration of the ERE process, they will continue to call for mobilizations in defense of their jobs and the activity of the plant.