Just two weeks before the lights were turned on, The local police put the city council to the test again. Negotiate on Christmas plan – That special production program that organizes reinforcements and exceptional services between the end of November and … The beginning of January – once again led to a union battle. Representatives of the agents have submitted a counter-proposal demanding that the same wage conditions be maintained as last year, when the municipal government came under pressure due to the impending celebration of the National Day. Magnaagreed to pay for the plan’s worth More than eight million euros.
But this year, there is no exceptional magna or spread that justifies such expenses, as there is a legal limit known by both parties in the negotiations. But the unions are demanding that the scheme and cost be repeated. mentioned Counterproposal It was presented yesterday at a meeting that only reflects that the two parties are far from understanding. Labor representatives suggest starting a Christmas plan On November 27 and extends until January 7 (Instead of even the first sales weekend like other years), it covers the entire holiday period and major events: the switching on of the Christmas lights (29 November), the derby on the 30th, matches such as Betis-Barcelona, the Immaculate Bridge and the mighty stretch of Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and the Three Kings Parade.
The union document, more than thirty pages long, not only demands the preservation of last year’s structure; Extends periods and sets rates for each business day Which leaves little room for negotiation. According to the economic table that the agents themselves attach, the public highway police officer will receive 479 euros per festive day Or weekends in between 205 and 227 euros for working days, With an additional bonus of €87.13 for overnight services. Moreover, early in the morning December 25 and January 1 Payment is made as Double vacation.
The result is that an agent who covers all the days stipulated in the plan – about 25 days in total – can achieve The total wage ranges between 9,000 and 9,500 euros Just for the Christmas plan, outside the usual payroll. This point was rejected by the unions requested by the ABC, although it is a bonus that can easily be calculated with the 25 days that agents will work with 18 days off until completing the 42 days they propose for the continuation of the above Christmas plan.
As ABC learned from employee sources, Last year, figures of between 7,500 and 8,000 euros per agent were reacheddespite the table that comes in the counter-proposal, this year may exceed 9,000 including nights.
reverse, The city council has offered three million less Of the 8 that were approved last year for 1,200 operational agents Who participate in these services. The struggle is not limited to the negotiating table only. In municipal offices it is remembered that to intervene It has expressed objections to these agreements, considering that the productivity agreed upon with the unions violates the principles of budget legitimacy and spending control. What happens in practice every year is that local police take advantage of the schedule of major events – Easter, the fair and Christmas – to force approval of payments due to political fear that the protest or plant will affect the city’s security and image.
The last precedent was last year. With Magna just a few days away, the City Council had no choice but to give in and accept An agreement of a renewable nature For one year. And in the 2025 budgets, barely one Item 17 million euros for local police productivity, which was depleted in May. Since then, a budget amendment — which included an additional $30 million — that would have allowed the suspended installments to be paid has not been approved.
Double reason
Therefore, the dispute has a double aspect: the lack of municipal liquidity and the accumulated debts of agents who are still demanding the services provided during the discount period. UEFA Champions League Final 2022part of Holy Week and Fair This year or United Nations summit. Now, in addition, the city council needs to get resources from under the rocks to cover Christmas reinforcements.
Added to this economic situation is the structural crisis of the workforce, which the union itself acknowledged in its letter: 500 agents. In addition, incorporation operations are less than retirement, Absences have doubled Many agents who seize their positions immediately ask for permission to go to other destinations, resulting in positions being blocked without the possibility of temporary replacement due to state law. With this panorama, union pressure has become a recurring strategy for maintaining advantages and conditions enjoyed by no other municipal body. This in turn causes Comparative damages With the rest of the municipal employees.
Meanwhile, the city council is trying to fight back. HR advocates for this Never again can we afford disproportionate expenses Without budget coverage or intervention support. But experience shows that as the light approaches and events on the street multiply, the ability to maneuver diminishes and the political margin shrinks to a minimum.
History, like every year, repeats itself: Unions wait until the last minute -They have decided No more extra work They have called for a demonstration on the 18th in Plaza Nueva – and the government is rushing as much as it can to Try to reach an agreementSeville once again attends the Christmas celebration held by the local police.
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