USO challenges dismissal of union delegate in Santa Marta de los Barros municipality

The Unión Sindical Obrera (USO) has publicly contested the disciplinary dismissal of one of its municipal union delegates in Santa Marta de los Barros, calling the action "disproportionate" and part of an alleged campaign against labour‑rights defenders. According to USO, the delegate faced two separate disciplinary proceedings for alleged serious infractions, both of which concluded with the maximum sanction: dismissal. The union notes that the delegate had testified as a witness in a lawsuit against the council over workplace harassment and had filed a claim to equalise her salary with colleagues in the same professional category.

USO further alleges that both disciplinary files were prepared by the council secretary, who is linked to the ruling Partido Popular administration, raising concerns about procedural irregularities. In the same statement, the union cites the termination of another municipal employee who had supplied evidence of alleged salary discrimination, claiming she was first warned of a pay cut before being dismissed. Both workers have filed legal appeals against their dismissals, and USO says it will continue to defend the right to judicial recourse and to expose irregularities.

The dispute highlights tensions between the local government and the labour union over procedural fairness, alleged harassment, and pay equity within the municipal workforce.