This would mean, on average, 50% less work in the group as a whole. The time has come for negotiations between the trade unions and the company. It would not be worth remembering that similar situations have occurred in Basque companies since the crises of the 1980s. That is why there is reason to suspect that there may be new blackmail from the hand of the Sidenor Group; unions and workers would do well to be vigilant.

Capital, in order to devour its working conditions, threatens to shut down forever if plans are not approved at the time of negotiation. Trade unions and works councils sometimes bow to these anti-social plans, saying that it would be worse for the workshops to be closed completely or for more workers to stay on the streets. They endorse the policy of blackmail and fear used by the Capital.

Sidenor, in addition to announcing a regulatory dossier, said he wants to establish a “work adjustment plan”. In particular, the flexibility of workers, the availability of more hours, functional and geographical mobility, the distribution of the holiday period… that is, more cuts and loss of labour rights. And depending on the position of the trade unions in the negotiation, Capital, that is, Sidenor, will blackmail in one way or another to achieve its objectives. It wants to reduce the production force (employment), but to continue to accumulate profits. Faced with the blackmail of capital, the work of trade unions and institutions should be to defend Basque steel and quality employment.