A lean dog is linked to fleas. With waiting lists at Technical Vehicle Inspection stations showing signs of improvement, a workers’ announcement that they will initiate an indefinite strike next October if the salary equalization deal is not honored could trigger notable traffic disruptions across the service. To prevent this, Nuria Montes, the Minister of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism, convened an emergency meeting with Sitval, the public company responsible for ITV management. The aim was to renew the board and push for an agreement with unions, effectively averting mobilizations.
Earlier, in March, the regional government completed the transfer of ITV oversight to Sitval, a move that placed all Comunidad Valenciana ITV stations under a single publicly traded entity. As the summer campaign looms, scheduling a check-up appointment has become a real challenge; at many stations, it has become nearly impossible to secure an appointment within three months.
The Ministry blamed the Botany Manager for not forecasting the staffing needs during this peak period and has been gradually integrating more than 200 workers into the company. This strategy is beginning to show results at the 28 fixed stations, although four locations still struggle. Alicante, Benidorm, Elda, and the Valencian town of Onda face persistent difficulties in offering available dates.
Still, if union headquarters push ahead with a strike starting October 2 as indicated, the situation could deteriorate again. The issue centers on failing to meet the salary agreement established upon the return. Specifically, the agreement called for gradual equalization of the economic conditions for around one thousand permanent ITV workers across all stations, with Alicante among the most affected. Approximately a hundred employees there were paid 40% less due to different arrangements tied to private contractors.
In this complex environment, Nuria Montes, chairing Sitval’s board, postponed the company’s ordinary meeting to Tuesday, September 26, to search for a resolution. The meeting revealed plans to appoint a new general manager to replace Josep Albert of Compromís, along with a replacement for the council secretary and other statutory positions.
The councilwoman explained that the postponement serves a larger goal: to stabilize an asset in a precarious state until the new autonomous government can formalize its approach, a step the administration agreed to last July. The Innovation Ministry stressed that the priority remains ensuring uninterrupted service for residents, transport operators, taxi drivers, and anyone who depends on a vehicle, especially for everyday activities.
Consell reinforces ITV with 214 workers to ease congestion for up to three months
In this effort, the autonomous department has outlined several measures. One clear objective for the new management is to prevent a strike from disrupting essential services, though no further contract specifics were disclosed at this stage.
Pepe Cloquell, head of the ITV division at CC OO, noted that talks are underway to finalize a mobilization plan. He stated that a delay could occur due to the government change, but the agreement has already been signed and funded, and in any case the union will not back down. If the terms are not met, a strike remains a possibility.
Sitval oversees ITV stations across Alicante, Alcoy, Benidorm, Elda, Elche, Novelda, Orihuela, Pilar de la Horadada, Redován, Torrevieja, and Villena in the province, with an additional 15 mobile units planned to support the network. (Source: Regional Mobility Update, attributed.)