More than a hundred justice officials gathered again at Plaza de los Alicante Courts this Wednesday, joining a national strike organized by the unions INTERNATIONAL, UGT, CC OO and CSIF. The protest centers on securing higher salaries from the government and includes a solidarity drive with the Food Bank, collecting milk as part of the campaign under the banner, “We turned our minister’s dirty milk into solidarity milk.” Participants plan to perform a related action at the same site on Friday.
The protest followed the minister of justice’s first meeting with the strike committee, a session in which no economic proposals were tabled. The committee was asked to return to negotiations after the elections, but the minister departed early, and since then the strike, led by the committee, has remained at the ministry waiting for a constructive interlocutor to emerge. This update reflects ongoing attempts to secure a response from government representatives.
The strike committee released a statement after more than 24 hours of standstill. They reported that the Justice Department has operated “without a valid interlocutor to negotiate a settlement of a conflict that has persisted for more than two months.” They noted no offers had been presented and no official face-to-face engagement had been maintained, even though some key ministry figures were reportedly expected at the negotiating table later in the day.
According to the strike committee, the act of collecting milk to donate to the Food Bank in Alicante signified more than charity: it was a symbolic stand against what they perceived as delay and mismanagement within the ministry. The campaign was described as turning an initially critical situation into a practical act of solidarity with citizens in need. A caption accompanying a photo from the protest described the milk drive and its charitable aim.
The committee criticized what it called the “laziness of the Ministry,” arguing that the leadership of the government, beginning with the head of the department, should take control of the situation and appoint a capable interlocutor. They argued that the absence of decisive leadership risks weakening justice services and undermining public confidence in a democratic, progressive, and worker-focused administration.
Representatives from workers cited openly insulting messages reportedly circulating within the minister’s circle about the committee’s actions. They argued that such rhetoric undermines the possibility of a constructive resolution. Pilar Llop, in various public appearances during her tenure, has repeatedly spoken about the importance of dialogue and consensus as a cornerstone of governance.
The strike committee also indicated an effort to minimize mobility within the ministry, effectively confining themselves to a small meeting space described as roughly 20 square meters, lacking windows and ventilation, with restricted access to machinery. The document described this as a deliberate tactic to press for timely talks while enduring austere conditions.
A separate note from the organizers stated that if the presence of the strike committee in the meeting room were disruptive to ministry operations, negotiations should be resumed and the committee members should not be forced to leave the isolation area. The aim remains to secure a negotiated settlement that addresses the long-running impasse while ensuring that public services are not adversely affected.
Food and beverage services were mentioned in connection with the protest site, highlighting the logistical realities of sustaining participants during extended demonstrations. The organizers emphasized that the focus remains on achieving constructive dialogue and timely resolutions, rather than prolonging confrontation.