Restructuring events
European Restructuring Monitor (ERM)
The restructuring events database contains factsheets with data on large-scale restructuring events reported in the principal national media and company websites in each EU Member State. This database was created in 2002.
Spanish fashion retailer Blanco is to implement a labour force adjustment plan affecting 300 employees. The company presented at the end of March a proposal affecting 332 employees, which now has been reduced by 10%, partly in response to a series of mobilisations organised by the trade unions. Trade unions' actions are however expected to continue. A two-hour strike is scheduled for 19 April in all the cities where the company have shops are open on that day (In Spain, timetable regulation may differ between different cities).
The company is offering affected workers a severance pay equal to 24 days per year worked up to a maximum of 18 months. Moreover, an outsourcing company will support the dismissed workers. At this time, negotiations with the trade unions are still ongoing.
In 2013 Blanco applied for a redundancy procedure affecting 711 employees.
Update 13-10-2016
Blanco has postponed the beginning of the consultation process with the trade unions, initially foreseen to begin on the 3rd of October, to the 17th of October. The company however has not justified the delay. Trade unions have called for strikes on the 21st and 28th of October and 4th of November
Update 28-10-2016
Blanco has taken the decision of not applying the employment adjustment foreseen. In response to this decision, the trade unions have withdrawn the call for strike on Friday 28 October. However, strikes are still called on 4 and 11 November. On the strike that took place on 21 October, more than 95% of staff was involved. The company is currently looking for an investor to buy the clothes chain. A final decision should be taken by mid November, according to trade unions. According to the trade union CCOO, the chain is delaying the payment of the wages and is being forced to close shops for not paying the rents. Bearing this in mind, the trade union argues that the withdrawal of the employment adjustment does not calm down the staff.
Update 9-12-2016
Blanco will finally close all the establishments and dismiss its entire workforce (850 workers). According to the trade unions, the closure of the establishment and the dismissals will be executed progressively. The firm has presented to the Court and request to close. Once the Court approves the closure, a negotiation process will be opened to set up a schedule and try to achieve the best conditions for the dismissed workers, as noted by the trade unions. The company has already closed its Website
Eurofound (2015), Blanco, Closure in Spain, factsheet number 79268, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/79268.