"Working poor" at Palma airport: Groundforce staff gather due to "unsustainable" conditions
The union branches of CCOO, UGT, and USO denounce overwork, low wages, lack of security, and threaten a strike this August.
PalmWorkers at Groundforce, the main operator of handling At Palma Airport, they raised their voices against what they consider an "unsustainable" labor situation. The union branches of CCOO, UGT, and USO, members of the company committee, gathered this Wednesday at the airport facilities to demand immediate improvements in their working conditions and denounce the increasing precariousness they suffer. Around 150 workers participated in the event, which took place in Bay 1 of Son Santjoan, and they threaten to strike this August if the company does not meet their demands.
The unions warn of excessive overtime, a lack of human and material resources, and wages that do not correspond to the cost of living on the islands. "Many employees are working poor, despite being in a sector that should guarantee stability during the high season," they emphasized. They also point to a "clear work overload and constant abuse of authority."
Health and safety conditions are also a cause for complaint. According to the committee, the company is not implementing heat-related protocols and has not improved its facilities or vehicle fleet, which they describe as "deficient." All of this is exacerbated by Aena's "disastrous" management of the airport expansion works.
The union representatives are calling on the company and the relevant authorities to immediately open dialogue to negotiate fair working conditions, both in terms of wages and contracts.
"To all companies"
In statements to Europa Press, works council member Margarita Alomar explained that they have reached "a point of collapse. We cannot allow the airport to continue with this precariousness for another season." "This is the case with Groundforce, but it is happening at all companies," she stressed.
Alomar warned that, although it is not the workers' intention, if the company does not address their demands and provide solutions to their problems, the labor dispute will end in partial work stoppages or a strike.
"If not today, it will be tomorrow, the airport will cease operations," she emphasized. To avoid reaching this situation, the works council has requested the intervention of the Regional Ministry of Labor, Civil Service, and Social Dialogue. Alomar emphasized that they are open to dialogue with the company, but are not willing to continue under the current conditions.
