Plus Ultra prepares an ERE that threatens its 679 workers and cuts fleet and routes after the controversial rescue of 53 million from the Government

Despite the controversial bailout of 53 million euros that it received from the Government after the pandemic, the serious financial situation of the Plus Ultra airline has led it to prepare a collective dismissal procedure (ERE) that puts its 679 employees at risk. The measure is part of a restructuring plan that includes withdrawing planes and suspending regular routes, a consequence of a "significant aggravation, both from an economic, operational and labor point of view," according to a statement from the works council to which EL MUNDO has had access.

"We are not going to hide reality or generate false expectations. Nor are we going to take as inevitable what must still be analyzed, discussed and negotiated," laments the committee, which is in charge of transmitting the formal notice that the management gave them yesterday. Although the airline has mentioned its entire workforce, it has not yet specified the final number of layoffs or how the adjustment will be distributed by area. It also clarifies that the consultation period has not formally begun nor is there an individualized decision on the termination of the contracts.

In any case, the corporate plan includes the reduction of the aircraft fleet (currently made up of 6 operational wide-body aircraft) - with the consequent impact on activity and personnel needs -, the withdrawal of commercial routes and certain operations (it has several regular long-haul routes mainly between Spain and Latin America), the definitive amortization of jobs and the means of negotiating temporary measures such as reductions in working hours or contract suspensions through an ERTE (Temporary Employment Regulation File, which would make it possible to temporarily suspend contracts or reduce the working hours of its employees - between 10% and 70% -, without this implying a definitive dismissal).

"The company has requested the constitution of the negotiating committee and, subsequently, must formalize the beginning of the consultation period and provide the corresponding documentation," the statement reports; Therefore, the representatives will first demand all the economic, financial and operational documentation from the board of directors to carry out an accounting audit to verify the real situation of the company. Likewise, they will focus their efforts on defending temporary alternatives that avoid permanent layoffs, ensuring compliance with labor law and the collective agreement, and maintaining unity of action among all the company's acronyms. "The constitution of the negotiating table does not mean accepting the measures proposed by the company," he warns.

The announcement of the labor adjustment comes when controversy still persists around the public bailout received by the company during the pandemic. The aid of 53 million euros granted to Plus Ultra was one of the most controversial of the fund managed by Sepi. Although the legality of the operation was upheld by the courts, the rescue continues to generate judicial and political derivatives, with investigations focused on the efforts that surrounded the granting of the funds.