Tubacex proposes to activate ERTE in Álava plants due to falling orders

Tubacex has proposed the activation of the Temporary Employment Regulation Dossier (ERTE) for 8 months (until February 2027) at its plants in Amurrio and Llodio, due to thedecline they have noticed in the sales of pipes as a result of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz\ u00A0. This measure provides for a maximum regularizationof 70%  or reduction, so it would mean a maximum of 95 days of inactivity , although the application will vary depending on the areas of the company.

The management of Tubacex met this Tuesday with the unions totry to reach an agreement on the implementation of the dossier in order to begin negotiations. The consultation period is 15 calendar days and until 1 July there will be four meetings between the management and the works council.

In recent months, labour relations have been correct and have borne fruit, with the management and the trade union majority signing this month of an agreement for a new collective agreement lasting five years and affecting Tubacex Tubos Stainless TTI (Llodio) and Aceraraba (Amurrio). 

However, in principle, the ERTE that is being proposed affects these two Alavese plants, 600 workers.

Reopening the Strait of Hormuz gives them hope

At the May 28 Shareholders Meeting, the management warned that there would be problems in extending the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The CEO of Tubacex, Josu Imaz, and the president, Manuel Moreu, explained that there could be "temporary flexibility measures."

Tubacex is in a good economic position : last year it won 15.9 million, although in the first quarter of 2026 its net profit was reduced to 1.3 million, 84% less than in the same period of the previous year.

The blockade of Hormuz has had a major impact as it transports raw material from Europe to the Abu Dhabi plant, where the  tubesfor the Middle East  are transported, and it is precisely from this geographical area that the largest demand reaches the company, so the agreement between Iran and the US, which would lead to the opening of the strait, is hopeful news for the company.