Local Police officers and firefighters in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria will stage a protest in front of the City Hall next Friday (28th February) to demand the payment of unpaid overtime, increased staffing, and improved working conditions.
The demonstration is being staged to coincide with the municipal plenary session at 9:30am in Plaza de Santa Ana.
Overtime Pay Dispute
The protest initially stemmed from Local Police officers who have been in a dispute with the Council for several months over the non-payment of overtime. However, firefighters have also joined the demonstration to highlight their own grievances, including equipment shortages and staffing issues.
Emergency service workers are demanding the full payment of overtime wages for 2024, as only hours worked up to September are expected to be paid. Víctor García, spokesperson for the USPB union, stressed the need for timely and complete payments.
Frustration has led Local Police officers to refuse to work any extra hours indefinitely, impacting coverage for major public events such as Christmas celebrations and the upcoming Carnival.
Severe Staffing Shortages
Beyond unpaid wages, chronic understaffing is another big issue. Firefighters are currently operating with 30 fewer personnel than required, forcing existing staff to work double shifts to maintain public safety. Daniel Ojeda, a union representative for USPB, criticised the situation:
"It’s one thing to do occasional overtime for an event, but it’s another to depend on it for the service to function correctly."
The Local Police are also experiencing a serious workforce deficit, with around 200 unfilled positions. The situation is worsened by retirements and officers transferring to other administrations that offer better working conditions.
Outdated and Unsafe Equipment
Firefighters are also protesting against the deterioration of their vehicles, particularly fire trucks. Ojeda stated that: "There is not a single truck that we feel safe in."
Several vehicles have broken down while responding to emergencies, delaying assistance and requiring backup from other stations. Although new fire trucks have been approved for purchase, there is no clear timeline for their arrival.
Demand for Immediate Action
Union leaders have repeatedly raised these concerns, but they claim that the City Council, led by the mayor, has failed to engage in meaningful negotiations.
"We are protesting because the mayor has not called for a negotiation table to sit down and resolve these issues," García said.
The demonstration on 28th February aims to pressure the Council into taking immediate action. Police officers and firefighters warn that delays in addressing unpaid wages, understaffing, and deteriorating resources put both emergency workers and the public at unnecessary risk.
