Saint-Gobain Glass (Spain) informed unions on 18 Feb/09 that its proposed temporary layoffs in the Sekurit autoglass division at the Avilés plant will last 28 days. The measure will affect 170 employees, excluding those over 54y of age because of the negative effects on pension calculation, the works committee indicated. Although the lay-offs will last for 28 days, rotation will ensure only 18-22 days of inactivity per worker. In addition, company management warned of the possibility of similar further measures in the 2H of 2009 unless there is a revival of the sector. The temporary lay-offs are not the only ones in Saint-Gobain Spain: at the Arbós (Catalunya) Sekurit plant there will be 34 days of lay-offs plus 21 rest days. Meanwhile, a new round of bargaining on the collective contract ended on 18 February 2009 without progress. The company raised its pay offer to 1% on top of the real consumer price index , while the unions argued for 2.3% to be reviewed if inflation exceeds 1.8%.
