Insularidad Digna, a grouping of unions which represents 90% of public employees in the state administration in the Balearics, is considering calling a strike after the central government's failure to respond to a demand for a salary supplement to compensate for the additional costs of living on the islands.
In May and June, there were partial strikes on Fridays. As there has still been no response from the government, representatives will meet in September to decide on new actions. Fernando Martorell of the UGT union and spokesperson for Insularidad Digna says they are not ruling out a general strike.
The main demand is for an improvement to the residency supplement. The cost of living in the Balearics - that for housing, food, and fuel - is much higher than on the mainland and in the Canary Islands, especially .
Martorell says that the situation is creating staff shortages and that these are resulting in heavier workloads and a deterioration of public services: "It is a serious problem that affects almost all departments." As an example, 18% of social security jobs are currently vacant. "The situation is unsustainable, with higher population each year and fewer staff. It's an explosive combination."
He notes that, although the Balearic Government recently increased the supplement for regional public employees, the more than 10,000 state workers on the islands, who for instance include the security forces, have still not had their supplement updated. "President Prohens has shown that, with political will, solutions can be found."