Danone workers rally against factory closure in Parets del Vallès
French multinational plans to relocate production to Valencia, with 157 jobs at stake
Some 250 people protested Monday morning against Danone's decision to close its factory in Parets del Vallès, north of Barcelona.
Demonstrators marched from Sants train station to Danone's headquarters in Barcelona, leading to moments of tension with the police, during which protesters threw eggs and yogurt at the building's facade.
The French multinational announced last month its intention to close the Parets del Vallès plant as part of an effort to "streamline" operations and "improve efficiency."
The closure is expected to affect 157 workers employed at the plant.
After meeting with Danone, the president of the UGT union at Danone in Parets del Vallès, Jordi Barragan Garcia, said that the company's initial proposal was " insufficient and ridiculous."
"There is still time to negotiate and the company is committed to reaching a fair deal," he added. The workers will meet with the company again on Thursday to continue negotiations.
Danone justifies its decision on the grounds of a 48% inactivity rate of industrial tools at the plant. The company intends to transfer production from Parets del Vallès to its Valencia plant, which would involve the transfer of only 40 of the 157 workers affected.
Despite the company's explanation, the move has met with opposition from both workers and regional authorities.
Last week, Catalan president Pere Aragonès pledged to preserve jobs and industrial activity at the plant after meeting with union representatives.
The Catalan government stands behind the workers and has pledged to support them throughout the negotiation process.
