Road transport workers, both those working in the freight and passenger sectors, as well as those on public urban buses, are called to strike on October 28, November 11, 28 and 29, December 5 and 9 and for a unlimited duration from December 23. This was announced by representatives of CCOO and the UGT during a press conference, who assured that “there is no other option than to call a strike”, even if there are still days to “agree and mediate,” they said.
The strike is not a surprise, because the two unions (which represent 70% of employees in the sector) had already announced strikes at the end of July due to the lack of agreement with the employers and the Ministry of Social Security on the measures to be taken. this would make it possible to increase the retirement age.
Francisco José Vegas, general secretary of the Roads and Logistics sector of the CCOO Federation of Citizen Services (FSC-CCOO), justified the strikes because it is a profession “that causes illness, premature aging and a reduction in life expectancy”.
More than half a million workers
In total, union representatives assured, more than half a million workers are summoned, in goods transport alone. “There is a strong presence of independents who we believe should be here, because age is important and it doesn’t matter whether you are worker or independent,” said Diego Buenestado, secretary general of the Ministry of Roads, Urban and Self-employed. Logistics Sector of the Federation of Services, Mobility and Consumption of the UGT (FeSMC-UGT). They are joined by public transport and urban transport workers.
Union representatives stressed that proposals to improve working conditions in the sector are paralyzed, both in the Congress of Deputies and in the Senate. It is for this reason that they demand a change of attitude from the Executive and, also, from businesses. “What we are asking is that employers recognize the danger, that reducing coefficients and partial retirement be applied through a voluntary replacement contract for the worker,” said Diego Buenestado. “It seems absurd that employers do not agree, while the contribution [a la Seguridad Social, en este sector] due to work accidents and occupational diseases is six times higher.”
For his part, Luciano Palazzo, secretary general of the FSC-CCOO, criticized the “lack of will of the employers, who have come forward”, in this negotiation to improve working conditions. “This sends a message to employers and the government that they are sitting down to negotiate. “They should stop putting themselves forward. » At the same time, he asked for “patience and empathy from citizens” in the face of the strike.
