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Santiago Police Join Firefighters’ Overtime Freeze, Leaving Fire Station Idle as Outside Forces Fill Gaps

Talks with city officials have stalled over unpaid overtime plus court‑ordered night and holiday supplements.

Overview

  • Local police voted unanimously on Oct. 30 to suspend voluntary overtime, matching firefighters’ stance until there is “significant” progress in negotiations.
  • The city’s fire station announced a 24‑hour shutdown from 22:00 Thursday due to insufficient staffing after earlier closures this week.
  • Guardia Civil traffic officers carried out a breathalyzer check in the city center because no municipal Atestados team was available.
  • For the first time on Halloween night, no commanding officers were on duty in the local police, according to municipal sources.
  • Unions report a year without overtime pay and seek monthly supplements for night and holiday work in line with Supreme Court rulings, while the police operate with 126 active officers versus an expected 200.