Date Published: 07/12/2023
Supermarkets in the Spanish capital call strikes in the middle of Christmas
Several stores in Madrid will go on strike on December 23, 24, 30 and 31
Anyone planning to enjoy the festivities in the Spanish capital over Christmas and New Year had better stock up on essentials before arriving as several supermarkets and shopping centres in Madrid have announced strikes during some of the busiest days of the year.
"The call for these sessions responds to the failed attempts for months by the UGT Commerce sector to unblock the negotiation of the Food Trade collective agreement in the region," the union explained in a statement.
This document had been in negotiations since September of last year. The objective, according to the UGT, was to "raise the salaries of the stockers, the helpers, the clerks and the cleaning service who earn less than the minimum wage."
The industrial action will run for four days: December 23, 24 (Christmas Eve), 30 and 31 (New Year’s Eve).
By calling for a strike on these crucial holiday days, the union hopes to put pressure on supermarket employers to return to the negotiations over an important agreement that “affects workers who were considered essential during the pandemic and are now the forgotten ones.”
These employees, the union insists, are often the ones who work the most unsociable hours and have the least amount of job security, so they deserve to have their overall working conditions greatly improved.
The supermarkets where staff will down tools are Alcampo, Hiper Usera, Hiber, La Sirena, Carrefour and companies represented by ACES and Asedas. Also included are traditional markets, shopping centres and street food trucks.
"Our concern is the loss of purchasing power suffered by the sector's workforce, despite the enormous profits recorded by the companies," UGT explained.
In other news: Aldi opens 10 new supermarkets in Spain
Image: Pixabay
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