In December 1999, an agrement was reached to bring to an end a 65-day strike at the MSP private coal-mining company in León, Spain. The workers achieved some of their demands.
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In December 1999, an agrement was reached to bring to an end a 65-day strike at the MSP private coal-mining company in León, Spain. The workers achieved some of their demands.
On 1 October 1999, workers at the privately-owned Minero Siderúrgica de Ponferrada (MSP) mining company in Laciana county, León, began an indefinite strike against the company's strategy for the development of coal-mining, because they feared that it could involve the dismantling of the sector in the county. Other issues involved in the strike were negotiations over a new collective agreement and the working conditions and wages of newly recruited workers (ES9911263F).
The industrial action lasted 65 days, and involved several major mobilisations: the indefinite strike of the whole workforce; a sit-in by five workers in a pit 300 metres below ground during the whole period; a four-week camp in front of the Castilla y León regional government building; the assembly of a wooden replica of a mining gallery in front of the Ministry of Industry in Madrid; and daily road obstructions, demonstrations and marches inside and outside the county, often ending in confrontation with the riot police. From mid-November, the spouses of the employees joined the protests, as did former MSP workers (pensioners and early retirees), while citizens of the region showed their solidarity during the whole period through their participation in the events and in actions such as donations of food.
An agreement was finally reached on 6 December, bringing to an end one of the Spanish mining sector's longest and hardest conflicts.
Regarding the company's strategy for the development of coal mines, its modernisation plan has been updated through the introduction of a table showing the coal reserves in each group of mines owned by MSP and the yearly evolution of the workforce in these mines up to 2005. This responds to the workers' demand for specific data and commitments regarding the situation of the mines in relation to their workforce. The terms of the correlation between mines and employment levels involve a balanced exploitation of underground and open-cast mines, and the continuation of the María mine, though its continued operation beyond 2001 will depend on an external audit.
Regarding the monitoring of MSP's activities, central and regional governments have agreed to check its preparation and mining work periodically, to check thoroughly the aid received and investments made by MSP, and to call a meeting of the parties in the event of non-fulfilment. A call for the nationalisation of the MSP mines was not promoted forcefully by the workers, and the establishment of a quadripartite commission to control the mines was not accepted by the administration. Workers did succeed in blocking the development of the Feixolín pit, pending a study of the working system, the necessary workforce levels, working conditions and health and safety.
Regarding the collective agreement, the workers have secured its continuation until 2005, and have achieved the maintenance of purchasing power at 1998 levels (through a pay increase equal to the rise in the retail prices index, plus a safeguard clause). However, the workers failed to achieve their demand for equal working hours and transport rights for newly recruited workers, who will continue to work from Tuesday to Saturday. Dismissals made by the company due to the industrial action have been cancelled in exchange for the agreement of the workers' committee to a deduction of one day's wages.
Eurofound recommends citing this publication in the following way.
Eurofound (2000), Strike ends at MSP coal mines, article.
