The refuse collection and city cleaning employees of Valoriza company in the town of Candelaria have declared a strike during the period of their patron saint’s celebrations due to the company’s failure to adhere to the collective agreement and the City Council’s requirements.
The workers have chosen to initiate this strike as a result of the non-compliance with the collective agreement and the lack of willingness to follow through with previously agreed and signed terms, which impact labour rights and the service quality provided to the residents.
In a released statement, the UGT union highlights that the company has violated the current collective agreement by “refusing to settle the outstanding amounts owed to the staff for the years 2019, 2020, and 2021, despite these amounts being stipulated in both the collective agreement and the City Council’s requirements, and the sum has been allocated and paid to the company for the settlement of these debts.”
Even though the specific amounts owed and the recipients are clearly defined in the agreements, UGT asserts that Valoriza “has consistently shown a lack of intent to fulfil these payments.”
The union also condemns the failure to adhere to the preliminary agreement of the new collective agreement, as the company “declines to approve the agreed terms unless the past dues owed to the employees are forgiven, thereby breaching the initial agreement and refusing to settle the outstanding amounts for which the City Council has earmarked and paid for.”
Faced with this predicament, and having exhausted all discussions, the employees express that they have been compelled to take this “drastic” action to uphold their labour rights and ensure a high-quality service for the community, seeking understanding and support from the public “during these challenging times.” They appeal to the City Council and relevant authorities to mediate in this dispute, aiming to reach a “fair and equitable” resolution, while hoping that the company will reconsider its stance and adhere to the agreed terms.
