Else Beekman
The urban bus drivers of Fuengirola are back on strike today, following months of stalled negotiations over a wage agreement initially reached in August. Despite attempts to mediate the two sides have yet to come to a resolution, leading to partial service stoppages this Friday.
The workers are demanding the formal signing of an agreement they believe was already settled two months ago.
Breakdown of talks and renewed dispute
The conflict dates back to March when bus drivers called for wage parity between newly hired staff and those retained under the previous contractor. Despite initial progress in August, workers now accuse the company of backtracking on the agreement ratified by 85% of the workforce.
José María Rodríguez, Operations Director of Interbús, which operates the Fuengirola bus service, expressed frustration at the renewed strike. He explained that while an agreement was reached in August, including non-wage improvements, union representatives suspended the agreement in early September, derailing the process. Rodríguez argues that negotiating under the “pressure” of a strike is not viable, and he has expressed a preference to continue talks without the looming threat of work stoppages.
Union holds firm as workers seek fair treatment
Union leader José María Cazallas, from the Sindicato Libre de Transporte (SLT), insists that the strike will not end until the August agreement is signed. He claims the company has repeatedly delayed the process. Furthermore, he has raised concerns over proposals that would cut salaries and freeze wages, particularly for those workers inherited from the previous contractor. These cuts, he says, would reduce pay by as much as 40%, further straining relations between workers and management.
Company cites financial strain
Rodríguez has defended the company’s position, citing “absolute losses” and the need to reduce expenses. He contends that while the company is open to discussions, it must explore all options, including the possibility of reducing labour costs. Rodríguez emphasised that while no final decision has been made on wage reductions, negotiations need to be conducted with “transparency, seriousness, and without pressure.”