Ministry of Justice unions step up action

Trade unions, including FSC-CCOO and FeSP-UGT, are mobilising for what could be an indefinite strike of the 45,000 civil servants in the various bodies and agencies of the Ministry of Justice. The strike will begin on Monday, 17 April with partial stoppages from 10 am to 13 pm every day. On 19 April, a strike will be called for the whole day along with a national demonstration. The action follows the refusal of the Ministry to put forward a decent pay increase, in line with the demands on and responsibilities of workers. The unions say that the Ministry has recognised the need to adjust the

The FSC-CCOO, FeSP-UGT and other trade unions in the ministry of justice have been maintaining their campaign of strike action with high levels of support for the strike that took place on 4 May and with further action set for 9-11 and 16-18 May. The main demands focus on the need to negotiate implementation of the law on organizational efficiency and to deliver salary improvements that recognise the functions workers perform and ensure the development of the professional careers. The ministry has so far rejected any salary increase for most staff – around 90% - despite agreeing to an increase

Following a national demonstration in Madrid on 27 June and mobilisations around the country on 29 June, the trade unions involved in the long-running strike at the Ministry of Justice, including FSC-CCOO and FeSP-UGT, have formally requested the opening of a mediation procedure to resolve the conflict. From the beginning the unions have been open to negotiation but have met with a blank refusal by the Minister of Justice, Pilar Llop. The procedure is set out in legislation allowing for public administrations and trade unions to agree on an extrajudicial settlement of disputes by a third party