Freixenet workers reach deal with company to reduce planned job cuts

Workers at cava producer Freixenet reached a preliminary agreement with the company on Wednesday to reduce the number of planned layoffs. 

In April, Freixenet announced plans to cut 25% of its workforce — around 180 employees — through a redundancy scheme (ERO), citing challenges posed by climate change.

Following months of negotiations, the new preliminary deal reduces the number of affected workers to 156, including 32 who will take early retirement. This brings the number of actual layoffs down to 124.

The workers’ union said the agreement includes severance compensation of 50 days’ pay per year worked, with no cap.

In a vote this morning, the workers' union approved the deal, and the strike that began one week ago was called off.

Freixenet maintains that these "urgent" measures are necessary to ensure the "sustainable development of the business" moving forward.

The company cites the three-year drought in Catalonia as the cause of "severe disruptions" to the industry.

In recent weeks, workers have staged protests in Barcelona and in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, where the company is headquartered, including demonstrations outside the Catalan Parliament.

Workers also went on strike, initially planned for four days but extended to run through June 10.