Metal strike in Cádiz to become indefinite starting June 23

The metalworkers' strike in the province of Cádiz is scheduled for June 18 and 19. This date was modified from the one initially proposed, which was June 17 and 18, due to a clash with an election process at Acerinox in Campo de Gibraltar.

Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) and UGT have submitted the call to the Junta de Andalucía. In it, they confirm their intention for the walkout to become indefinite starting June 23. CCOO Industria has received the backing of its delegates, who met in assemblies both in the Bahía de Cádiz and in the Campo de Gibraltar region, the two main hubs of activity in the sector.

“We explained the situation to them, answered their questions and doubts, and they understood that, unfortunately, we have no other choice,” notes Pedro Lloret, general secretary of the union's Industria section.

From Campo de Gibraltar, the union speaks of an “intransigent attitude by the employers' association Femca”. “Throughout all these months, we have tried to get Femca to share the need for this collective agreement, which shouldn't only cover economic issues, but also the social matters we couldn't agree on in the previous agreement, but it has been impossible,” comments José Antonio Limón, CCOO Industria representative in negotiations with the employers.

The called mobilizations respond to the metal companies' refusal to accept issues that the unions consider fundamental. These matters were left out of the previous agreement, which was reached after intense days of striking. Worker representatives believe these issues must be addressed now, at a time when the sector is experiencing a peak in activity.

This includes regulating fixed-discontinuous contracts, redrafting the clause regarding temporary disability, and eliminating the two-tier wage scale between employees who receive the hazardous work allowance and those who do not (who joined the workforce from 2014 onwards).

Lloret clarifies that the unions' move toward the wage increase proposal put forward by the employers was conditional on them accepting these main demands, which are precisely the main stumbling block to a collective agreement. “We were coming closer to their position, accepting the issues they raised regarding 2024 back pay, with an economic sacrifice on the part of the workers, provided they took on the other issues,” he insists following Femca's stance.

CCOO and UGT agreed on the final strike dates, initially proposed for June 17 and 18, due to the overlap with union elections at Acerinox. Therefore, the notice filed with the Junta de Andalucía sets June 18 and 19 for the work stoppage, with the expectation that it will become indefinite as of June 23. In fact, a mediation meeting at Sercla has already been scheduled for Monday, June 16.

Unions are calling for mobilization among a workforce of around 24,000 to 25,000 people across the province, with CCOO estimating that 7,000 workers are concentrated in Campo de Gibraltar.