School canteen companies have offered a 20% pay increase in five years and have called for the strike to be called off
The observers will stop on 10, 11 and 12 March because "no progress has been made" in the negotiations, according to the unions. The companies have assured that they have already accepted the main demands of the collective.
Protest from school canteen workers. Photo: ELA
The companies that manage the public school canteens service in the Basque Country have offered a 20% salary increase for the period 2024-2028 and have asked the unions to call off the strike planned for 10, 11 and 12 March , considering that the main demands of the group have already been met.
School canteen monitors, who held three strike days last week to call for job improvements, have called for more stops,denouncing the lack of progress at the negotiating table .
The companies have explained in a statement that among the union claims was the application of wage increases for 2024 (0.5%) and 2025 (2.5%), as well as the payment of arrears.
In addition, an additional proposal has been introduced providing for the progressive equalization of the workforce of the Department of Education of the Basque Government, which would be complete from 1 September 2027.
The companies have reaffirmed their willingness to reach an agreement "as soon as possible" and have reiterated that the general proposal involves a 20% wage increase between 2024 and 2028.
With regard to other complaints, such as staff ratios, functions and the structural organization of the service, they recall that these are aspects regulated by the Basque Government, but that they hope to maintain awareness of the need for the Department of Education to have sufficient ratios.
The companies have expressed their "absolute respect" forthe right to strike, but believe that there is no reason to support the second three-day strike because the main demands have been accepted and additional commitments for improvement have been introduced.
They also warn that the strike will have a major impact on the thousands of families using the service and that, in their view, it will not be able to make any further progress on the commitments already approved.
Finally, companies have reaffirmed their commitment to quality of service and staff and hope to bring stability to the school canteens sector, which they consider strategic.
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