IndustriAll Europe opposes the closures and supports Spanish trade unions and the Spanish Government in finding an urgent solution. Alcoa has a responsibility to look at the future of the plants, either within or out with Alcoa, it cannot simply close these plants

Alcoa announced the closure of two of its three Spanish aluminium plants, Aviles and La Coruna, yesterday which will effect 700 workers.

The company stated that this was due to such issues as inefficient technology, high fixed costs and the overcapacity of Chinese aluminium smelting.

Luis Colunga, Deputy General Secretary of industriAll Europe, said:

‘’Alcoa’s decision to close the Aviles and La Coruna plants is completely unacceptable. Trade unions have continually demanded that the company invest in the sites and yet, since buying them from the state 20 years ago, Alcoa has failed to do so. Using the excuse of “inefficient technology” as a reason to now close the plants, absolutely beggars belief!”

“Other companies and the wider community will also be impacted by this unfair decision, all in all around 3,000 jobs could be effected. This could prove to be devastating for the local communities.

“IndustriAll Europe opposes the closures and supports Spanish trade unions and the Spanish Government in finding an urgent solution. Alcoa has a responsibility to look at the future of the plants, either within or out with Alcoa, it cannot simply close these plants.

“Companies have a responsibility to invest in their plants to ensure that they are as efficient and productive as possible. They cannot simply squeeze European sites until they are dry. We must also work together across Europe to demand a real solution to tackling global overcapacity in aluminium smelting, most of which can be found in China.

“We support our Spanish trade unions and their workers in demanding that the Aviles and La Coruna plants remain open. Alcoa has a responsibility to their workers and their communities and they should not forget that.”

Notes to the editor:
Consultation with Spanish unions will start on 31 October and will last 30 days.