Spain’s largest oil refinery, located in Vizcaya, is experiencing a labor dispute unprecedented in nearly fifty years. Almost a thousand employees of Petronor, a company within the Repsol group, have been on strike for more than forty days. The conflict stems not only from outdated agreements, but also from changes to daily routines that, according to workers, increase working hours without additional pay.
Old agreement, new demands
The most recent collective agreement was signed back in 2020 and was supposed to remain in force until the end of 2024. However, employees argue that its conditions haven’t kept up with reality: many are forced to work overtime, and temporary contracts have become routine. Union representatives highlight that some shifts last over 12 hours, and high turnover makes it difficult to maintain workplace safety.
At the start of 2024, the labor inspectorate imposed a hefty fine on the company for violations in hiring practices. Following this, unions decided to take the matter to court in pursuit of better working conditions. The case is now under review by the Audiencia Nacional.
Locker room relocation sparks new disputes
The situation escalated over the summer, when management changed the location of the locker rooms. Now staff must change into their uniforms before clocking in for their shifts. According to employees, this effectively extended their working day by half an hour. Negotiations with management failed, and on September 25, the workers went on strike.
Attempts to reach an agreement continued even after the protest began. The two largest unions agreed to a compromise: to increase the number of days off to compensate for the extra minutes. However, most of the workforce rejected this proposal, demanding a return to the previous arrangement. As a result, the dispute moved to court, and now the outcome depends on the judge’s verdict.
Outlook and sentiment
For now, negotiations are at a standstill, and employees are determined to continue striking until their demands are met. Union representatives stress that the issue is not only about changing time, but also about fundamental matters of safety and job security. The company’s management has not commented on the situation so far.
This conflict has become the longest in the company’s history and could impact the entire industry in the region. In the coming weeks, both sides expect a court decision that will determine how events unfold.
