UGT and CC OO announce strike actions in Alicante’s passenger transport sector
UGT and CC OO have announced a joint strike in the Alicante intercity passenger transport sector due to stalled collective bargaining negotiations. A partial strike is planned from 07:00 to 09:30 on 24 April, with the possibility of an indefinite strike starting 28 April if the current situation persists.
The unions note that a negotiating commission was formed on 15 November 2021 and has held regular meetings since then, attempting to secure fair salaries and working conditions while upholding the dignity of the profession.
The unions describe a difficult situation for drivers, who face the prospect of 15 hours of presence and driving time, with limited opportunities for rest, breaks, and predictable daily schedules. They highlight that workday reductions can reach four hours without compensation, and stress that personal life balance is at stake as work is determined at the employer’s location or by company directives.
According to the unions, drivers are required to be available all year round, including mornings, afternoons, evenings, Sundays, and holidays. By applying the 15-hour presence and driving time rules, they argue that the nine-hour daily rest does not sufficiently cover travel home and other rest periods, leaving a gap in the rest that should be guaranteed.
In a broader sense, the sector faces a public service obligation: ensuring mobility for citizens, access to schools and universities, and the option of on-demand transport. The unions emphasize that the industry agreement currently anchors salaries around 1,300 to 1,400 euros gross for drivers, while the inter-professional minimum stands at 1,080 euros.
Contracted passenger transport personnel include regular line drivers, school and university services, and on-demand transport. The unions point out that this is a public service that secures citizens’ mobility, access to education, and various optional services such as excursions. They also note that employers argue the negotiating framework only considers downward economic criteria based on 2020 salaries, overlooking increases proposed for 2021 or beyond that would raise compensation at the bargaining table.
CC OO and UGT advocate for preserving the purchasing power of staff affected by the contract, citing a 2021 CPI of 6.5% and a 2022 CPI of 5.7%, which collectively raised the cost of living without corresponding salary increases. They state that mobilization measures are underway and call on workers in the sector to support the strike, while asking for understanding from the public and apologizing for potential disruptions. The unions assert that workers have been left with no alternative and that action is necessary to secure fair conditions for everyone involved.