Unpopular. Catcalls and anti-government slogans shouted outside politcal parties’ offices

Unpopular. Catcalls and anti-government slogans shouted outside politcal parties’ offices

C.M.W.Maó15/06/10 0:00
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Around 1,500 to 2,000 civil servants marched through the streets of Maó last Tuesday in protest against the government cutbacks which, amongst other things, will see their wages (which have increased by 3.6% over the last six years) cut by an average 5%, cuts in social services spending and a freeze on pensions. The percentage of civil servants heeding the call for the 24-hour strike varies according to the source, the unions claiming a 75% turnout but the Balearic Government reducing this figure by 8.9%.

Called by the unions UGT, CCOO, STEI, UFP Baleares and SUP, the Maó demonstration started in the Plaza de la Explanada before protesters marched down to Plaza Miranda, passing the offices of the two main political parties, PP and PSOE, which prompted catcalls and the shouting of anti-government slogans. Once in Plaza Miranda, the demonstrators voiced their disapproval of the bankers, speculators, weapons expenditure, the Government's disproportionate structure and corrupt politicians, before a manifesto was read out on behalf of the unions.

With minimum services set fairly high in the various sectors by the Government (excessively so, according to the unions), the strike went largely unnoticed by the public in Menorca. Outpatients at the Mateu Orfila Hospital were attended to much as normal, as were members of the public visiting the Social Security Offices in the Plaza de la Biosfera or the Traficó offices opposite.

Although there were many empty desks in the Island Council headquarters (where the strike turnout was 40% according to the authorities and 80% by the unions' account) citizens were attended to normally throughout the morning.

According to the General Secretary of the CCOO, Ramón Carreras, there is a possibility that a general strike will be called throughout Spain at the end of the month if Zapatero's "swing to the right" continues, with details being announced this week.

Post Office strike

In contrast, the strike called by the unions for the Correos workforce on Thursday was certainly noticed by the public, with the post office in Ciutadella closing completely and queues of up to 50 minutes in Maó.

Around 40 workers of the total 150 employed by Correos in Menorca heeded the call to strike in protest against the Government cuts which have reduced the number of staff being employed and resulted in no stand-ins for workers on holiday and some workers being placed on temporary contracts, in some cases for periods of only 15 days.

There are also fears that if the postal service is privatised it would be economically unviable to run such a service in Menorca and it could disappear, according to CGT leader Luis Camerero.