Japanese firm Showa lockout 280 workers in Martorelles factory is now closed

Barcelona - Japanese firm Showa lockout 280 workers in Martorelles, statement said the factory is now closed

The Showa company management has decreed a lockout at the Martorell plant and left on the street its 280 employees, according to union representatives, who have denounced the move.

As people turned up to start work at 6am this morning, the Showa Works dedicated to the manufacture of shock absorbers for motorcycles, they found the facilities closed, and currently staff is concentrated on the street and in the carpark of the company, not knowing what to do.

Helena Codes, the union delegate, said yesterday afternoon that "an attorney for the company gave notice" that at 0600 hours today they would proceed to lock workers out. Codes explained this decision by Showa affects all staff. Codes added that the Department of Labour has been in contact with the committee and it has informed them that it has given orders to send an inspector to assess whether there is real basis for ordering the lockout.

The Showa company argues that the lockout does not mean the closure of the company, and they have taken this decision because "do not want anyone to work at the plant or to continue production until the situation normalizes," said Helena Codes.