Cleaning sector workers in Bizkaia call for four-day strike

The ELA union has called for a four-day strike in the local and building cleaning sector in Bizkaia, scheduled from September 28 to October 1. The labor action aims to address stalled negotiations regarding wage improvements, full-time employment access, and the protection of existing labor rights.

Union representatives state that negotiations, which began in January 2025, have reached an impasse. They claim that employers, including ASELBI-CEBEK and ASPEL, have excluded major worker demands and proposed changes that could undermine current collective agreements. Key demands include a minimum wage of 22,500 euros for 2026 and a system to manage staff vacancies to facilitate the transition from part-time to full-time roles.

The cleaning sector in Bizkaia employs approximately 11,000 workers, the majority of whom are women. Currently, annual salaries average 18,000 euros, and workers report high workloads and intense rhythms that impact health and increase absenteeism. The LAB union has also expressed support for the struggle and organizational efforts.