A Beneficial Agreement
This Friday morning, the Government and the prison unions have reached an agreement that has made it possible to call off the two strike days planned for this same Friday and for next May 11. The agreement involves labor and safety improvements for prison workers worth approximately 30 million euros. This includes improvements in wages, working hours, safety measures and training. This decision has been well received after the strike was called following the death of a cook at the Mas d’Enric prison in March.
Details of the Agreement
Some of the agreed measures include pay improvements, improved working hours and compaction of the working day. In addition, changes are foreseen in staffing, security systems, equipment and penitentiary centers. The possibility of acquiring body scanners will also be studied and emergency and security protocols will be reviewed.
Improvements for Different Profiles
Labor improvements include the expansion of the labor market, salary increases for internal and administrative staff, and salary equalization for rehabilitation staff. In addition, gender equality policies, the creation of a Penitentiary Training School and measures for staff over 55 are foreseen.
Mediation and Reactions
Mandatory labor mediation in response to the strike called after the death of a cook has channeled the negotiation of the second labor conditions agreement promoted by the Department of Justice. Both the Government and the unions have highlighted the proposed improvements and the importance of this agreement. UGT has praised the agreement, while the Marea Blava movement has criticized the unions UGT, CCOO, CATAC and Intersindical.
Protests and Claims
Parallel to this agreement, penitentiary officials have carried out a symbolic sit-in in several localities, showing their displeasure with the Government’s management. They criticized the management of the Republicans and asked for transparency and solutions to the internal conflicts in the penitentiary centers.
