The situation surrounding the Ministry of Justice has become tense as officials simultaneously voice concerns about pay and working conditions. In recent days, tension rose after reports indicated the Justice Administration Lawyers LAJ could face extended changes in the office, while some former forensic secretaries were reassigned. Crude salary data circulated showing a monthly increase in gross pay ranging from 430 to 450 euros depending on the level, signaling renewed attention to compensation for those serving in both the General and Special Corps tied to the ministry, including leaders such as Pilar Llop. There is a growing sense that more can be earned through careful mobilization.
A collective group of around 45,000 public employees has been cited in discussions about upcoming actions. Projections suggest that more than 2,000 workers in the Alicante region may participate in a strike that begins next Monday, April 17. The plan involves a sustained work stoppage with partial actions spanning three hours daily, between 10:00 and 13:00. Officials backing the measures will pause their duties during these windows.
The official start of demonstrations is scheduled for Tuesday the 12th, around noon, with a gathering in front of the headquarters of the Spanish Justice ministry delegates in Madrid, located on San Bernardo Street. The event is set to be a visible protest and a call for attention to the issues at hand.
In addition to the partial strikes, there is a pledge for a full-day demonstration on Wednesday, April 19, beginning at noon, aimed at pressing for changes and a stronger stance from the ministry.
The protests are organized by five unions CSIF, STAJ, CC OO, UGT and the Galician Inter-Union Confederation. Their aim is to secure a reasonable salary increase for forensic lawyers and to oppose the LOEO, the Organic Law of Organizational Efficiency, which is viewed as imposing new working conditions without prior negotiation. The call for strike was formalized late last week after a clear impression emerged that the Justice Department was not prepared to offer a pay raise to the 45,000 Justice public servants who serve in the courts and related offices.
Organizers emphasized that the ministry holds responsibility for any changes to the regulation that might affect the Justice profession. They noted that an adjustment in one organ’s compensation has ripple effects across other careers, bodies and categories within the system. Their position is that an increment in pay should be extended to all staff in proportion to their duties, and the missing element is effective action from the ministry to implement such adjustments.
From the perspective of the unions, the strike is about more than court procedures or expected measures under LOEO. It centers on remuneration for functions actually performed by justice personnel. The union leadership conveyed that if efficiency gains are recognized for the LAJs, then parity should exist for the rest of the staff in relation to the workload each category handles. They stressed that the core issue is fair compensation aligned with the real tasks carried out by those serving in the justice system.
The dialogue remains focused on ensuring that pay and work conditions reflect the daily realities faced by those who work in the Justice Ministry. The central question concerns how to recognize and reward the essential duties performed across the different roles within the ministry and its associated bodies. This is part of a broader conversation about the sustainability of judicial services and the morale of public servants who keep the courts functioning. The organizers are urging the ministry to respond decisively with a framework that supports workers while maintaining orderly operations and public confidence in the justice system. Acknowledgment of the workload and a clear plan for equitable compensation are expected to shape discussions in the days ahead. [Citation: statements from CSIF, STAJ, CC OO, UGT, and Galician Inter-Union Confederation]n