Consell begins procedures to create four fixed ITV stations in the province
Across the Valencian Community, a public restructuring marks a turning point in how vehicle inspections are organized. Since last March, a newly public company has taken charge of ITV operations, setting in motion a transition that has united the major labor unions in demanding fair pay and a single, stable contract for every worker. The unions, including CC.OO, UGT, and CSIF, announced an open-ended strike to begin Friday, May 19, as they push for equal compensation for all employees. The shift merged staff from seven different franchisees into one centralized entity, and for a time each former contractor kept its own employment terms. That created a patchwork of wages and benefits for workers performing similar duties. The unions warn that this fragmentation cannot continue and call for immediate talks to close wage gaps and improve working conditions nationwide.
Analysts and union representatives describe the situation as a direct result of consolidating ITV services under a state-backed entity. For workers, the core issue is clear: equal pay for equal work, regardless of the station or the previous employer. In Alicante Province the impact is most visible in Orihuela, Redován, Villena, and Benidorm, where early reports show a sizable gap between long-serving staff and newcomers brought in under the new structure. The reorganized ITV operation now employs roughly 1,200 people, all facing the task of aligning pay with the responsibilities carried out day to day.
On-site observations show ITV stations actively serving residents and motorists across the province. The ongoing talks reflect a shared desire to restore fairness and stability to the labor market while keeping inspection services reliable and efficient. The unions report that several negotiation sessions with Sitval’s leadership have taken place, but the company has not yet formalized a single, centralized contract or a universal salary framework. The demand for a uniform contract and standardized pay scales speaks to a broader aim: removing the inequities that arose during the shift from franchise to public operation.
The dispute centers on how consolidation is managed under Spain’s labor rules, which require transparent equal-pay practices for comparable roles. The unions insist that current pay scales do not reflect the expertise and effort each station requires, and they argue that discrepancies harm morale and retention in key locations. A coordinated plan to address these concerns is seen as essential to maintaining high vehicle safety standards and protecting workers’ livelihoods amid organizational realignment.
Meanwhile, Sitval’s leadership acknowledges ongoing efforts to resolve salary differences and other terms of employment. The firm operates under a broader public mandate, which brings regulatory constraints that can slow negotiations. The company points to the need to respect budgetary provisions set by the Generalitat while pursuing wage alignment. As talks progress, a formal negotiating table with the Generalitat is expected to begin soon, aiming to deliver concrete agreements that satisfy both labor and fiscal requirements. The management team emphasizes establishing a clear timetable and a transparent process that demonstrates progress to all involved.
The regional government remains focused on a prompt resolution. Public administration views this transition as a pilot for a broader modernization agenda, unifying essential public services under a single, accountable framework. With a clear legal pathway, officials hope to avert prolonged disruption and ensure fair treatment for workers as the system evolves. The expectation is that, once negotiations move to a formal stage, all ITV stations in the province will operate under a unified wage policy and a single employment contract, eliminating wage disparities that have drawn protests and legal questions.
In a broader strategic sense, the Generalitat sees the ITV consolidation as a path to operational efficiency and more consistent inspection quality. The reform is framed within ongoing efforts to revitalize public services while maintaining strict budgetary discipline. The aim is to deliver real value to taxpayers and create a stable environment for workers, with clear career paths and fair pay structures in place. This timeline aligns with past efforts to correct privatization steps and reassert public governance over key infrastructure services.
Ultimately, the administration expects wage harmonization and a universal contract to lift staff morale and service reliability. The plan requires ongoing cooperation with unions, careful compliance with labor protections, and adherence to fiscal guidelines. As ITV stations transition from a fragmented model to a unified, public-facing system, stakeholders anticipate a climate where performance, fairness, and accountability converge to sustain essential inspections for drivers across the Valencian Community. The trajectory depends on timely negotiations and the political will to uphold workers’ rights and public service obligations, with ongoing oversight from the Consell and relevant ministries. The anticipated benefits for motorists are a more trustworthy, consistent experience and better overall outcomes as the system evolves.
Consell predicts benefits from ITV reversal will exceed 8 million
The reintroduction of ITV operations under public administration sits at the heart of the Generalitat’s agenda, particularly within the economy ministry, which seeks to reverse privatization trends from earlier years. Officials project a significant financial upside, with the full reversal of ITV services potentially adding a net gain of more than eight million in public funds over the coming years. The forecast reflects direct savings from centralized management and broader economic advantages, including improved service reliability and stronger labor markets in the affected areas.
Analysts note that the push to restore public control over ITV aligns with a wider strategy to protect essential public services from privatization pressures. The Generalitat argues that a unified, publicly managed ITV network ensures consistent service levels, stronger governance, and more transparent budgeting. The plan also aims to model approaches for other public services that were fragmented through privatization in the past. Observers emphasize that the financial forecast depends on successful negotiations, smooth implementation, and ongoing oversight that keeps costs in check while delivering real public value.
Viewed as a long-term investment in public accountability and regional resilience, the ITV reintegration conversation centers on wage parity and labor conditions now, with broader benefits for administrative coherence, procurement efficiency, and predictable financing for future infrastructure needs. The Generalitat stays committed to monitoring outcomes and adjusting policies to maximize the positive impact on workers and the driving public, with ongoing evaluations guiding future decisions about how ITV services are organized and funded in the Valencian Community. The stakes include not only current working conditions but also the reliability and safety of vehicle inspections for millions of drivers and the communities that rely on them.