Companies that have received support from taxpayers must now support their workers!

Yesterday, Spanish aerospace workers took to the streets to demand urgent action from the Spanish government to safeguard thousands of jobs in the aerospace sector.

The general strike was organised by industriAll European Trade Union affiliates CCOO de Industria and UGT-FICA. It included demonstrations across 11 cities and a manifestation in front of the ministry of industry in Madrid where a joint trade union manifesto was handed over.

COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the European aerospace sector, a sector which is very important in Spain generating around 108,000 jobs. These jobs are well paid, high quality jobs and trade unions are going on the offensive, demanding urgent action from companies and the Spanish government to safeguard these jobs.

The demonstrations were organised in response to a restructuring announcement by Airbus which would lead to massive job losses. In addition, some of the biggest suppliers to the aerospace sector, including ITP Aero, Aciturri Alestis and Aernnova, have announced that they will transform their ERTEs (temporary employment regulation scheme) into EREs (Employment Regulation Schemes) which could result in around 3500 redundancies. Trade unions completely oppose this decision. 

Isabelle Barthes, Deputy General Secretary of industriAll Europe, said: 

‘’The aerospace sector is an important sector for workers in Spain and we fully support our members in demanding urgent action from the Spanish government to support this sector. We oppose the decision of aerospace companies to implement EREs, especially since many of these companies have benefited from public funding. Companies that have received support from taxpayers must now support their workers!"

"We call on aerospace companies and the Spanish government to fully engage with trade unions to identify all possible avenues and support schemes to protect jobs.’’ 

Solidarity letter of industriAll Europe
Joint manifesto CC.OO industria and UGT- FICA

Contact: Andrea Husen-Bradley (press and communication), Elspeth Hathaway (aerospace policy adviser)