Alstom will cut its workforce by 400 at its Catalan plant

Barcelona (ACN). - The French train manufacturer Alstom presented a plan to reduce its workforce by 1,380 at its plants in Germany, Italy and Spain. It has blamed a decrease in the number of trains ordered in the three countries and also the added market pressure from French multinational Bombardier. The decision was announced today in Paris after a meeting with European-level trade unions. According to Alstom, the company is negotiating at European-level with trade unions, and also with each individual union based at the plants in question. Alstom’s factory in Spain which employs 900 is located in Barcelona’s Metropolitan Area in Santa Perpètua de la Mogoda, 30 km north of Barcelona city centre. The plan announced today will see the laying off of 400 workers, which represents around 45% of the staff at the plant. In addition, Alstom will not renew temporary contracts. The total number of workers affected will therefore be higher.

Alstom argues that with this decision, it hopes to maintain the competitiveness of its industrial base. The lack of demand has forced the cuts at the factories in Germany, Italy and Spain, according to Alstom. The company registered a drop in the number of orders for new trains due to a cut in public expenditure.

In Germany, the plan will see 700 workers go at the Salzgitter plant. In Italy, the measure will cut 280 jobs and will see the closure of Colleferro factory, already announced last February. Temporary contracts will also not be renewed.