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Two-Day Metal Strike Snarls Barcelona Access After Talks Collapse

The stoppage stems from a clash over absorbing supplementary pay that unions say would dilute future wage rises.

Overview

  • CCOO and UGT launched a two-day walkout on 29–30 October covering about 180,000 metal workers across the province of Barcelona.
  • Morning pickets blocked the Ronda Litoral at Mercabarna and sections of the C-32, A-2, B-23 and C-31, creating major traffic delays that partially eased by midday.
  • Mediated negotiations led by the Catalan labour department ended without agreement, leaving the dispute over absorption and compensation of pay supplements unresolved.
  • Salary positions remain apart, with UPM proposing 3.0% in 2025, 2.75% in 2026 and 2.5% in 2027, while unions seek roughly 3.9%, 3.6% and 3.5%.
  • UPM says it keeps the door open to a deal as unions hold protests at key industrial areas, and Mercabarna reports operations continuing despite access blockages.