“My concern is most because I see how unaware people are. We are accustomed to ordering something and having it delivered the next day, but this will no longer be the case starting on the 20th.” José Raya, president of the Association of Freight Transport Pimeef in Ibiza, comments on the National Committee of Road Transport’s (CNTC) request for a strike on December 20, 21, and 22.
At a second meeting on Thursday, representatives from the Ministry of Transport, Mobility, and Urban Agenda presented a document of proposals that, despite progress, falls “far short” of what employers demand in terms of improving driver working conditions and establishing a “immediate economic lung” for professionals and businesses. The government reiterates its commitment to reaching an agreement in the coming days.
Pimeef’s president is also the owner of Punkytrans, a company with 43 employees specializing in freight transports between Valencia and Barcelona and Ibiza and Palma. “Normally, at this time of year, roughly a hundred vehicles arrive each day between the three shipping firms that operate in Ibiza, and there may be more given that it is the eve of Christmas.” We, who load on the mainland to come here, will not work if there is nothing to load,” he says. Additionally, are not required to provide basic services, not even to meet demand for perishable goods, he adds.
Raya asserts that while he has not witnessed an increase in items to provide, he believes that truck arrivals may increase by up to 20% next week due to “stockpiling.” And here two things might happen, he notes: “Either the strike is called off on the 18th and you find yourself with everything full, or the strike is called off on the 18th and you find yourself with everything empty; poor business.” In this regard, he notes that there is no shortage of room in shipping businesses, as ships move at a maximum capacity of 60%.
Survey to the associates in Ibiza
At the present, the Pimeef is conducting a survey of 45 sector associates in Ibiza to ascertain their position and so estimate how many self-employed and small businesses will join the strike, which might go indefinitely. According to the union Comisiones Obreras de Balears, more than a half-dozen trucks work in the largest pitiusa, not including those that travel to the island solely to unload.
For the full article, please visit Diario de Ibiza website here.