The Lopesan group and the Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) union have reached an agreement ending the collective dismissal process at the Hotel Miguel Ángel in Madrid. The redundancy plan (ERE) will ultimately affect 97 workers, representing almost the entire workforce. Only nine employees will retain their jobs, according to union sources confirmed to Maspalomas24H.
The agreement includes the signing of a special agreement to protect workers over 55 who become unemployed after the hotel closes. This type of agreement allows those affected to continue paying Social Security contributions until they reach retirement age, thus avoiding serious damage to their future pensions. In addition, the company will sign a special agreement for unemployed workers over 55, covering their contributions until they reach the age of 63. As an additional support measure, an external outplacement plan is being established to help those over 50, especially, find new employment.
The CC.OO union points out that "we want to emphasize that this result was not the result of chance, but rather the result of a joint effort and the firmness maintained throughout the negotiations. The pressure exerted in the media, as well as active participation in the rallies, was decisive in reversing a damaging initial proposal and forcing the company to modify its position" and that "we reiterate a conviction confirmed by the facts: in the face of abuse, unity; in the face of cuts, firmness; in the face of the violation of our rights, organization. Our greatest tool for transformation remains union unity and collective mobilization."
The negotiation, which took place within the legal framework established for the EREs, was concluded with an agreement that, according to the CCOO (Working Council of Workers), "minimizes the social impact of the process," although it does not prevent the departure of almost the entire workforce from the iconic Madrid establishment, owned by the Lopesan group. The company maintains its intention to reopen the Hotel Miguel Ángel after a major renovation, announced years ago, and continues to seek a buyer interested in relaunching the establishment as a luxury five-star hotel. The company has already carried out a capital reduction in its subsidiary Lopesan Touristik to clean up the hotel's accounts, a step that, according to industry sources, paves the way for a possible strategic alliance.
