Italian company Apofruit Italia has reached agreement with worker organisations FAI, FLAI and UILA over a dispute relating to its proposed reorganisation.
The deal, which brings to an end months of wrangling that saw a number of Apofruit employees go on strike and take part in demonstrations, will be valid for two years.
According to the company, the agreement will mean onions continue to be handled at its packhouse in San Martino in Spino, near Modena, although this will only include local production.
Workers transferring from San Martino in Spino to another facility in Altedo, near Bologna, will be granted travel expenses.
Furthermore, at its Longiano facility near Forlì, the proposed outsourcing of Apofruit's transport operations has been given the green light, although the group underlined its commitment to keeping processing activities at all of its facilities in the region of Emilia Romagna in-house.
Around 150 workers went on strike last December in protest at Apofruit's proposal to outsource its transport operations, a move which will reportedly affect some 30 people employed at the Longiano site.
A total of six employees will be made redundant as part of the agreement.
Welcoming the breakthrough, Apofruit Italia's director general Renzo Piraccini said he was satisfied with the deal and relieved that 'at last, reason prevailed'.
'This result could have been achieved four months ago, however, thus avoiding unnecessary tension and exploitation,' he said.
'The reorganisation process is always a difficult, but necessary step,' he added. 'Businesses have to pay close attention to costs and competitiveness, particularly in a difficult situation like the one in which the fresh produce sector finds itself.'
'But our objective is also to avoid damaging workers, and that is what we have achieved with this agreement.'
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