Spain luxury Paradors hotels lay off 350

Spain's Paradors, state-run luxury hotels set up at converted castles, palaces and monasteries, will cut 350 staff, management and workers said Thursday. Workers have struck for several days over the past weeks, including on December 31 and January 1, since the group announced plans to axe 644 jobs, 14 percent of the total, and to close seven hotels. Under an agreement between management and Spain's main Workers' Commissions (CCOO) union, some 350 staff will now be shed, said a statement by the management. Of the 94 paradors, one, based in Puerto Lumbreras, southern Spain, will be closed down and about another 30 will have seasonal closures of between two and four months, rather than the original plan for five-month closures. About 15 restaurants also will be shut down for good. Founded more than 80 years ago to sell Spain's image abroad, the Paradors offer holidaymakers the chance to sleep in historic monuments such as castles, manors and palaces but in up-to-date luxury.