Last Friday, postal workers gathered for a rally to oppose the sale of the historic post office building in Gabriel Miró square and to protest a planned mandatory transfer of 75 employees during the peak Christmas campaign. The protest comes as unions CC OO and UGT argue that the Correos agency is effectively “overselling” the property to the Generalitat solely to offset national financial losses in the postal system. The scene was a steady stream of chants and banners as workers moved through the assembly area, voicing their concerns about the timing and purpose of the sale. They point out that the property, which saw significant renovations a decade ago during the Correos 4.5 project, is valued at around 4.9 million euros, a price they feel does not reflect its historical and operational importance. Their contention is that the deal serves deficit reduction rather than long-term community or service stability. They also blame the current leadership for driving the decision.
Unions say the sale will trigger a compulsory relocation of all departments tied to the site in the middle of the busy Christmas period, affecting all 75 workers connected to the main office. The plan would move the headquarters to a temporary site for one year, prompting a search for a new centre in Alicante’s downtown core to house the main administrative functions. Other teams would be dispersed to alternative buildings, with some improvement work anticipated at locations such as Bono Guarner street, to accommodate the transition. The overall effect, according to the unions, is a disruption to staff, operations, and the community’s access to essential postal services during a critical time of year. They emphasize that this is not simply a real estate transaction but a shift that impacts livelihoods and local identity attached to the historic building.
The rally featured speakers and representatives who highlighted the moral and social costs of the sale. José Joaquín Oliva, the provincial secretary for CCOO in the postal sector, described the anticipated asset loss as more than a financial hit; he called it a blow to the institution and to workers who feel deeply connected to the post office’s heritage. He framed the situation as a broader cultural loss for the area and for those who rely on stable postal services. A similar sentiment was expressed by José Luis Rico, head of UGT postal services, who warned that the sale could erode the service’s identity in exchange for modest compensation. The participants urged decision-makers to consider alternative strategies that preserve the building’s public function while addressing fiscal concerns, aiming to safeguard both jobs and historical continuity for Alicante’s postal network.
As the event concluded, attendees underscored the importance of dialogue and thoughtful planning that respects workers and residents. The unions called for a pause on the transaction and for a transparent review of all options that balance financial accountability with social responsibility. The discussion continues as representatives from the postal service, local government, and community groups evaluate next steps and potential compromises that could keep the historic site accessible to the public while ensuring a stable, future-facing operational footprint for Correos in the region.