Spanish stainless steel manufacturer Acerinox is contemplating a potential temporary closure of its plants due to ongoing labor strikes, as reported by Kallanish based on information from the company. Recently, a fire, suspected to be an act of deliberate arson, occurred at the Los Barrios plant in Cádiz. The fire was swiftly extinguished by firefighters, averting significant damage. The incident coincided with a blockade of the unit's entrance, hindering essential morning shift tasks.The strikes stem from a dispute over a proposed new collective bargaining agreement, leading employees to initiate an indefinite strike on February 5. Thousands of workers staged a protest, blocking the A-7 national highway between Algeciras and Malaga for nearly six hours. Acerinox has taken legal action against the strike committee for impeding minimum services, sabotage, and threats to damage facilities. The company is reassessing its approach to mediation with employees, citing acts of violence and non-compliance with minimum service agreements as unacceptable pressure tactics during strikes. Acerinox is contemplating a potential suspension of operations in response to the ongoing situation.In 2023, Acerinox achieved significant financial milestones, including a record EBITDA of €703 million, revenue of €6.6 billion, and a net profit of €228 million. These accomplishments were attributed to operational improvements in recent years and successful strategic ventures in the high-performance alloys sector.