In 1963, the production plant of Llodio was launched, beginning the history of Tubacex. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the company.

We started as local companies, transforming steel and making carbon pipes. It grew in a few years and in 1975 a steel company was set up in Amurrio and the Acería de Alava association was created. From the beginning, Tubacex was the motor company of the region. She gave jobs to many neighbors, while allowing wealth to be shared among others, to serve these neighbors through private businesses. Thus arise societies and taxes that can guarantee decent lives, that is, that allow public services.

Tubacex’s industrial trajectory has not been easy. We must highlight the financial crisis of 1992, in which many colleagues and neighbours had to go out into the streets to defend their jobs before the newly established Ertzaintza. Thanks to their struggle, the public authorities of the time had to support those workers and, ultimately, the whole region. After this crisis, our workplaces abandoned the carbon pipes and started making stainless steel.

But today, the biggest problem with this company is not the product we manufacture or the material we use. They have turned Tubacex into a multinational and decisions are taken outside our scope. What is it for Aiaraldea that Tubacex is 60 years old if the latest investments approved by the Governing Council are to build a production plant in Abu Dhabi? What is it for Aiaraldea to use the Basque Government’s subsidies to set up a production plant in Austria? Ayala and the workers of Tubacex cannot celebrate the anniversary as we see how they transfer the wealth that has been created here.

It is also up to us in the Alavese workshops to defend our jobs. In a cost saving plan drawn up by the Management Board, Tubacex was missing EUR 10 million, a cost that was set by 150 workers. So in 2021, we were forced to extinguish the SRE. The economic powers spoke; the political powers, the Basque Government and the PNV, were silent as they allowed these injustices. We responded and together we maintained the struggle for our society with an indefinite strike of 236 days. On the eve of San Fermín in 2021, the High Court of Justice of the Basque Country gave us reason and declared the ERE null.

Following the conflict and the "miracle recovery", in which there was suddenly work for all, salaries frozen us, along with the excessive inflation of recent years. But this measure does not affect all workers, since those who did not take part in the strike have had their own revaluations. For the language had to be bitten and reaccepted against his will, which seems to be making us expensive. Many of them have not yet returned to their home posts and are dedicated to others who do not respect their professional status. For them, the struggle is being very hard. Despite the fact that there are rulings by the High Court of Justice of the Basque Country annulling such conduct, the current Directorate refuses to accept them and presents appeals to the Superior Court of Justice of Spain in order to prolong the punitive measure over time.

For example, a recent judgment condemned the company to pay more than EUR 13,000 for violating fundamental rights to a worker. As a short time working mother on strike, the temporary employment regulation dossier affected her colleagues more. It is worth noting the strength demonstrated by the workers of Tubacex, who managed to ensure that on March 8, 2021 the bus of the steering that carried the skirolas did not enter the facilities of Llodio.

The existence of a violation by trade union action promoted by the Directorate is also a final ruling, since along with others who acted as slaves, a representative of the staff of the Inter-Center Committee was refused to obtain a submissive commission.

The 60-year story gives a lot, but if this is the business model that you want to congratulate on the anniversary, we are not willing.

Congratulations to all those who fight and fight for a better Aiaraldea!

Sergio Zaballa, member of the LAB trade union section in Tubacex.