Calvià lifeguard strike called for Mallorca beaches

Lifeguards in Calvià, Mallorca, have called a strike for Sunday 23 August, citing what their union says is the town hall’s failure to address demands over beach safety provision and working conditions. The action was announced on Tuesday ahead of a weekend expected to bring large numbers of beachgoers.

The Calvià Lifeguards’ Union says it took what it described as a drastic step after unsuccessful efforts to negotiate improvements. It has raised concerns about the condition of watchtowers, the level of cover across the season and during daily shifts, and communication failures that can require staff to activate emergency procedures using their own mobile phones.

Service and pay concerns

The union also says bathing-access support for people with reduced mobility is inadequate. The service operates at four of Calvià’s 11 beaches, according to the lifeguards.

It has additionally reported recurring errors in workers’ pay.

Town hall response and mediation dispute

Calvià Town Hall called the timing of the strike irresponsible, given the anticipated beach attendance. It said its governing team had met four lifeguards working in the municipality this summer, while maintaining that the union does not have legal representative authority over the remaining staff.

The council said it was willing to assess and introduce measures set out in an occupational-risk report prepared by the contracted service operator, describing most of them as recommendations on safety and working conditions. It said any changes to pay should be settled with that operator rather than the administration.

The union said the town hall did not attend a Wednesday meeting at the Balearic Islands Arbitration and Mediation Tribunal, convened in an attempt to narrow differences and avert Sunday’s strike. It said the absence showed a lack of political will from mayor Juan Antonio Amengual.

Topics: Strikes · Jobs & labour · Politics · Calvià

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com