News

On 31 January 2013, Prosegur, which is the largest private security company in the country had summoned worker representatives to start a consultation period for the implementation of opting out of the national collective agreement. Later this week, the company decided to postpone the meeting to February 12. However, unions representing Prosegur workers in Madrid decided to go ahead with the action, further protests could be announced for February 12.



Prosegur is not the only company to announce measures to opt out of the national collective agreement. Segur Iberica, Eulen, Seguriber (Securitas) are also moving in the same direction based on the recent labor reforms which have substantially reduced workers’ rights.



The Spanish Trade Unions, CC.OO, UGT and USO which have strongly opposed this opt out, announced that they will continue demonstrations to protest against dismantling the national collective agreement which impacts the private security industry as a whole.



Alice Dale, head of department for UNI Property Services said “The Spanish labour reform allows companies to dismantle existing collectively agreed working conditions which unions have worked to gain over many years. Prosegur should not take advantage of the labor law “reforms” that put the burden of the Spanish economic crisis on the backs of workers and their families. This is where the commitment to truly act as a socially responsible company is tested. UNI Global Union calls on Prosegur and all the major private security companies in Spain to stand with their workers and to honor the commitments they have made with their unions through collective bargaining.”



UNI has long urged Prosegur to sign a Global Agreement to ensure that workers in all countries in which it operates have the right to form a union of their choice, to honor country minimums and internationally recognized labor standards and to work toward a “living wage” in all of its operations. To date, Prosegur has rejected UNI’s offer.