Correos protest: 22,000 jobs gone as staff rally

Correos staff across Spain are due to rally outside the main post office in every province on Thursday, 17 September, over claimed staff shortages and insecure work. The Central Sindical Independiente y de Funcionarios (CSIF) union has called the action against the public postal company. It is the next step in a campaign due to end with a demonstration in Madrid on Wednesday, 30 September.

CSIF says Correos has failed to deliver promised extra staff, a 35-hour week, full-time hours for part-time workers and a plan to bring younger people into the workforce. The union says it will press for an immediate change in Madrid.

Jobs cut as vacancies go unfilled

According to CSIF, Correos has lost more than 22,000 jobs in the past decade, falling from 66,000 workers to 44,000. The union blames the loss on the company not bringing in cover for retirements and sickness absences.

More than 4,000 workers are on part-time contracts and earn between 800 and 900 euros, CSIF says. It says 70% of those part-time contracts are in post offices, where staff are also asked to work extra hours.

Part-time staff and exits still waiting

Of the 7,757 jobs advertised in 2023, more than 2,000 were part-time posts. Nearly three years on, most of those workers remain on the same terms because transfer procedures have not moved forward, the union says.

CSIF also says more than 9,500 employees have waited for over two years for voluntary exits promised as part of a workforce renewal plan. The workforce has an average age above 52. Workers who turn 61 before 31 December 2028 should be able to take voluntary exit under the plan, but CSIF says none has yet done so.

The union says it may step up its action if Correos does not respond to its demands.

Topics: Jobs & labour

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com