The longshoremen of the Port of Bilbao extend the strike until December 9

The Coordinadora, UGT, LAB and Kaia unions, with representation in the stowage and unloading society of the Port of Bilbao Bilboestiba, have presented a new notice to extend the strike called among the stevedores until next December 9union sources have informed Efe.

Since last October 9, the 317 stevedores of the workforce are called to strike in demand for a new collective agreement and in protest against the “breach” of the current one in terms of breaks, among other reasons, according to the unions.

Initially, the unions called a first period of work stoppages and strikes between October 9 and 25, which were later extended to November 9 and yesterday they presented a new strike notice until December 9.

Unions and companies plan to negotiate, but have not yet set a timetable for it, according to the union sources consulted. The centrals prepare a protest platform to start the negotiation.

In relation to this matter, the Government delegate in Euskadi, Denis Itxaso, has appealed this Friday to the “understanding between the parties” so that as soon as possible the labor dispute in the stowage of the Port of Bilbao is ended and normality can be restored.

In an appearance in Bilbao to present the investments in Euskadi included in the General State Budget project for 2021, Itxaso has shown its concern about the possible impact of the conflict on the competitiveness of companies, so that “from the maximum Respect for the right to strike, “he said,” has urged the parties to understand each other.

For its part, the Biscayan employer Cebek has considered “an authentic irresponsibility” the announcement of extending the strike until December 9 and has warned that the protest “It is seriously affecting the economy of Bizkaia and Euskadi and their companies”.

In a note, Cebek has referred to this conflict and has asked the competent public administrations to act “with speed” to try to achieve a solution that puts an end to the conflict and its consequences.

The business organization has shown that “it is not possible to accept, once again, the blackmail posed by the longshoremen, nor to assume proposals that go against the current legislation and that also affect free competition and the choice of workers. the companies of the Port of Bilbao “.

The Biscayan employers have considered that it is an “irrational” strike, which, moreover, occurs “at a time of a great economic crisis produced by the consequences of the Covid 19 pandemic. “He also denounced that the minimum services decreed” continue to not be respected “and has asked that compliance be ensured.

Given the prolongation of the conflict, Cebek has called for the establishment of mechanisms for dialogue and interlocution between the parties in order to “give a rapid response to this situation.”