UIB cleaners work in extreme temperatures: "In summer, everyone leaves and they turn off the air conditioning."

PalmThe UIB cleaners have worked in the midst of a heat wave in buildings that were practically completely closed, with temperatures hovering around 40 degrees Celsius and no air conditioning. Despite the orange heat alert and the fact that many have disabilities, the university has not turned on the air conditioning, as ARA Baleares was able to verify on-site. To endure the day, they have had to splash themselves with toilet water and take more breaks outside, because some of the faculties, with large glass windows and partially openable windows, created a greenhouse effect. "We have to endure it," explain several sources (who requested anonymity) at ARA Baleares: "In summer, everyone leaves and they turn off the air conditioning." According to one of the sources consulted, there has been at least one fainting spell.

When consulted by ARA Baleares, the vice-rector of the UIB, Lucrecia Paz Burges, believes it was the company's responsibility to adjust the cleaning staff's schedules and work weeks, knowing that the facilities would be without air conditioning for two weeks in August for "sustainability" reasons. "We haven't received any complaints; we didn't know this company was operating," she explains. However, Alberto Gundin, executive director of the company in question, IC Serveis, asserts that they were unaware that the facilities would not be air-conditioned, because neither the UIB's human resources department nor the tender contract reported this. He also denies having received formal complaints in this regard, although a knowledgeable source assures that they were sent. "The workers have a direct channel with those in charge, and there are no complaints recorded either via WhatsApp or email," he asserts, in addition to defending the fact that they have a heat protocol in place. In this regard, she insists that women can "move around, go out, walk, and hydrate" to combat the high temperature.

According to the workers interviewed, the situation is not anecdotal; in previous years, they also didn't have air conditioning. In the building where they work, they are also not allowed to open the main doors to pass the time, as entry is prohibited to the public. Even so, "the worst is on the upper floors," where some of the windows can't even be opened.

The receptionists, who also sweat profusely, make do with a fan, but they can't carry it around all the rooms and floors. Some have opted to come in to work earlier and thus leave earlier: they start at 5:30 a.m. and stay until 1:30 p.m. As ARA Baleares has confirmed, they throw tap water over their necks and hair and go outside for breaks. "The worst day was Monday," says a source: "We had to spend more time outside than inside." According to one of the people interviewed, there has been a fainting spell this summer. During this time of year when there are no students, they take advantage of the opportunity to thoroughly clean the buildings: doors, under tables, and in corners. Several facility workers interviewed explained that the air conditioning units are also being serviced, which is why they are not running.

The UIB holds the company responsible for the situation.

"Both last week and this week, the university was closed to everyone," explains Burges, representing the UIB. "It's already open starting next week." "If they need to do a thorough cleaning, they could do it starting next week, since the academic year doesn't start until the 10th," he believes, confirming that for now, they are "changing the air conditioning filters" and performing "maintenance work."

This newspaper has visited several faculties, and none of them had air conditioning. However, a doctoral student confirmed that the laboratory does have air conditioning, since, due to the delicate nature of the materials being worked with, it has its own system. Outside the buildings, several spaces are under construction, as well as the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters. According to the university calendar, the next academic year begins on September 10. However, the facilities will reopen to the public starting next Monday, at which time services will be restored.