The ELA trade union has called for a 30-day strike in the residences of Gipuzkoa for this year. The protest, which will take place between 19 September and 18 October, is open to new calls if a solution to the conflict is not achieved. During the past year, workers in the residences of Gipuzkoa have also made numerous strikes: ELA called 88 strike days and LAB another 20.

The workers underlined the responsibility of the Provincial Council at a press conference held in Donostia-San Sebastián: “Beyond institutional propaganda, the Deputy wants to do business with our grandparents and we cannot forget that this sector directly affects thousands of Gipuzkoans and Gipuzkoans.” 90% of the residences in Gipuzkoa are arranged.

Precariousness and machismo

The workers report that the conflict involves precariousness and gender inequality: “The Deputation has used the wage gap and gender inequality between men and women as a business tool and in favor of the entrepreneurs who are in her favor.” In this sense, they have pointed out that precariousness is greater in the feminized sectors. For this purpose, they have compared the working conditions of male workers with other benefits that are performed through subcontracts that operate mainly in the Basque Country. For example, with street cleaners. They have also ensured that the wage gap between men and women stands at 30% of the total.

The workers have criticised the ratios of the workers and the users of the company. In this regard, they have also criticized the Basque Government for adopting a decree that "makes the ratios worse" on 31 July: "It seems that all Basque institutions are betting on the same thing as the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa: making the elderly sector a simple source of business".

Two years of conflict

Two years ago there was a conflict in the nursing homes of Gipuzkoa and it is still unresolved. ALS has the widest representation among workers, 60%, and LAB, by far, 20%. There is no joint action between the trade unions. ELA left the employers' and trade unions' table considering that there were no minimum conditions for holding the referendum. However, it has negotiated with the employers outside the table. Last March ELA reported that it had reached an agreement with the employers, but denounced that the Council had obstructed its implementation. The negotiating table between employers and trade unions will be reconvened on 20 September, after which LAB will decide on its next steps.