The provincial Málaga law court has overturned the sacking of Antonio Garrido Luque, curator of the Cueva de Nerja. The curator, an archeologist by profession, had been fired on the 15th of June 2013.

The magistrate considered that the decision made by the cave foundation’s board “did not conform to legality,” and has given it two options: take him back or pay him 86,903.36 euros in compensation.

However, although the Board had five days to make known their decision, it still has the right of appeal before the Regional High Court (TSJA).

The Foundation Board had held a vote on Sr Garrido’s possible dismissal and voted twelve in favour, four against and one abstention, for having held an authorized meeting with staff after they were informed that they would not be receiving a 2012 Christmas bonus.

The Board considered that he had violated confidential information, taking advantage of his position on the Executive Board of the Foundation when he met with the workers and that he had done so to discredit and sully the name of the Foundation, causing friction within the staff.

However, the Magistrate did not see it that way and considered that this had not been proven and that therefore the grounds were insufficient to fire him.

(News: Nerja, Axarquia, Costa del Sol, Malaga, Andalucia)