Garbage strike during Carnavales de Cádiz over snubbing by Ayuntamiento and concessionaire company

The Strike Committee of the company in charge of the Servicio de Limpieza Viaria y Recogida de Residuos de Cádiz expresses its strong disapproval over the lack of recognition from both the Ayuntamiento and the concessionaire company. This lack of recognition is reflected in the struggle for workers' rights, confirming the start of an indefinite strike beginning February 10, supported by over 85% of the current workforce.

Despite requesting a meeting with the Ayuntamiento to present their fair demands, the Committee has been ignored. On the other hand, the concessionaire company, Valoriza, has refused to negotiate the payment date for the remaining 2% pending from the last collective bargaining agreement update. Despite tough negotiations, only 2% has been paid to date. In addition to financial issues, the company has breached other clauses of the collective agreement, such as paying two years of back pay at its discretion, the lack of a study grant fund for temporary staff, the freeze on seniority pay for full-time permanent staff, compliance with functional mobility, and the delivery of complete work uniforms, among other unfulfilled demands stipulated in the collective agreement.

This stalemate is negatively affecting the workers' families, lowering their purchasing power at a time when living costs continue to rise, making the situation increasingly unsustainable. The workers express their frustration at always being the most harmed during difficult times, without anyone caring about their working conditions. Furthermore, they point out the lack of investment and interest from the Ayuntamiento and the company, resulting in worse working conditions, with heavy machinery specified in the tender contract that has still not arrived, alongside poor safety conditions.

While the present is discouraging, the future seems even bleaker, as a company failing to comply with the current collective agreement raises concerns about future agreements in a context that does not favor improvements in working conditions.

The Committee stresses that defending their rights has no time limit, but rather responds to families' need to achieve work-life balance, guarantee the rights established in the agreement, and overcome challenges with fair wages that allow them to cover their needs. They assure they have the support of Cádiz society, known for not tolerating injustice.