Minimum services during general strike: unions and government at a distance

SPAIN (Agencies) Spanish law says that a union calling a strike that impacts on such basic needs as transport must provide a 'minimum service', which needs negotiation between the parties. However, the General Strike scheduled for September 29 (29-S in the Spanish media) is causing plenty of division between the Ministry of Development and one of the country's principal unions, Comisiones Obreras (CCOO). Union sources say that agreement has been reached regarding ports and maritime transport, although local sources report that there will be only one ferry between Algeciras and Ceuta on that day, instead of the usual three or four. In national terms, though, the problem being negotiated as we write is air transport.>

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The ministry is insisting that international flights be at the 40% level on the day, which the unions are saying is very far from their intentions. The position of both parties on national flights, however, are close.

The Minister for Development, José Blanco, said, as he headed for the negotiating table thios morning, that he is "hopeful that we can reach an agreement today that balances general interest requirements with those of the right to strike."