Today at 11 a.m., a significant milestone was reached for labor rights in the wood industry as the first collective agreement at Elda Wood was officially signed. This success is the result of dedicated organizing that began in July last year, followed by intensive collective negotiations that started earlier this year.

The collective bargaining agreement has improved many of the workers’ material rights. While the national minimum wage remains the baseline, for workers with more than a year of service in the company, the gross salary will be 1,020 euros. A meal allowance in the amount of 100 euros was agreed upon, alongside a performance bonus – each worker receives a base of 50 euros, while the maximum reward can reach 100 euros (as permitted by law).

The maximum annual leave has been restored to 28 days, up from the previous 25 days. The overtime allowance is set at 50 percent, and the night shift allowance is 40 percent. Christmas bonuses, Easter bonuses, and vacation allowances (regress) can amount to 60 percent of the highest non-taxable amount. The gift for a child was agreed at the highest non-taxable amount. The Jubilee Award will now be paid every five years, whereas the previous period was 10 years.

Depending on their seniority, workers are entitled to severance pay in the amount of half of their average monthly salary per year of service, up to a maximum of seven salaries (the legal maximum is six salaries). New negotiations on material rights will begin in December, once the new national minimum wage levels are established.

The collective bargaining agreement, as well as our other collective bargaining agreements, are available for review here: Collective agreements