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The three unions representing workers for the Orihuela City Council – UGT, Comisiones Obreras, and CSIF – are taking a stand against what they consider to be ongoing unresolved issues.
According to a statement, the union committee is in contact with the RSU (Waste Collection) department, headed by councillor Rocío Ortuño, in an effort to arrange a formal meeting. Their goal is to address various breaches of agreements that, they claim, have been ignored by the councillor.
One of the main grievances is the failure to compensate workers assigned to the Saturday market, as required by the Labour Arbitration Court ruling from April 8, 2019. Additionally, workers report delays in overtime payments and the unjustified deduction of bonusses. The unions are also calling for an update to the department’s salary structure, which they argue is outdated.
Further concerns include irregularities in holiday scheduling. The committee states that agreements reached during the 2024 negotiations are being violated, with management imposing holiday schedules rather than allowing workers to choose. Additionally, they criticise human resources for deducting bonuses when employees take personal leave.
Workers have also raised safety concerns about infrastructure. They highlight safety defects in the ramp at the vehicle depot, which is allegedly too short, rendering it unusable. A container has now been placed in front of the ramp, limiting its use.
In terms of fleet conditions, the unions report that many MSW (municipal solid waste) vehicles suffer from severe mechanical defects, with a significant number out of service for repairs. This, they argue, compromises worker safety. Additionally, they claim that collection trucks are being deployed with only one worker at the back, in violation of occupational health and safety regulations.
The committee also highlights ongoing tensions with the department’s general manager, accusing them of addressing workers in an “arrogant and contemptuous manner.” The unions warn that if this behaviour is not immediately addressed, they will file a criminal complaint against the manager and other responsible parties for failing to take appropriate corrective actions.
Given these unresolved issues and the lack of engagement from city officials, the unions have decided to escalate their actions. “Considering the seriousness of these matters and the continued inaction of those responsible, we have agreed to convene a general assembly of workers next week,” they stated. During this meeting, they plan to organise a workers’ strike.
In response to enquiries, Orihuela Council stated that it has not received any official documentation regarding their complaints, nor has not been approached for a formal meeting. As a result, for now, it remains uninvolved in the situation.
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