Business · Companies · 10 hrs ago
Avatel and unions agree to limit compulsory layoffs to 383
Avatel and worker representatives reached a preliminary deal on the company’s ongoing collective redundancy process in Spain.
The deal caps compulsory job losses at 383, down from the 444 initially proposed.
Up to 444 employees could still leave if all departures are voluntary, and the company can reject voluntary applications.
Workers who leave will receive compensation of 33 or 45 days’ pay for each year worked, capped at 24 months’ pay.
In Avatel’s television division, employees will also be asked to consider a flexible schedule, while keeping eight-hour workdays and 48 hours of weekly rest.
The company says weak financial results and repayments of public grants for network projects that were not completed are behind the restructuring.
This is Avatel’s third workforce reduction in two years, following changes in 2024 and January 2026 that led to 600 departures.
Staff will assess the proposed schedule changes, and voluntary departures can begin after the legal process is complete.
Avatel and workers’ representatives reached a preliminary agreement that caps compulsory layoffs at 383.
The company’s original plan proposed 444 job cuts, while up to 444 departures remain possible if all are voluntary.
The agreed compensation is 45 or 33 days’ salary per year worked, capped at 24 monthly payments.
The agreement followed the sixth meeting of the negotiating committee.
The company said the restructuring was driven by worsening financial results and the need to repay public grants for projects that were not carried out.
- Who
- Avatel and the legal representatives of its workers.
- What
- They reached a preliminary agreement limiting compulsory layoffs to 383. Up to 444 departures remain possible if all are voluntary.
- When
- Wednesday, 4 November 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Avatel cited deteriorating financial results, earlier plans that did not restore profitability, and the need to repay public grants for projects that were not carried out.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Avatel carried out an earlier workforce restructuring.
Avatel carried out another restructuring; the two earlier rounds resulted in 600 employee departures.
Avatel proposed a collective adjustment affecting 444 workers.
After the sixth negotiating meeting, Avatel and workers’ representatives reached a preliminary agreement capping compulsory layoffs at 383.
- Compulsory layoffs
- Maximum of 383
- Total possible departures
- Maximum of 444 if all are voluntary
- Original proposal
- 444 workers, or 33.5% of a 1,325-person workforce
- Compensation
- 45 or 33 days’ salary per year worked; maximum of 24 monthly payments
- Earlier restructuring departures
- 600 employees in 2024 and January 2026