Ugly scenes continue in Vigo

SPANISH workers blocked roads today in Vigo and protested by the thousands, as talks to settle the general strike at northwestern shipyards remained stymied.

Clashes began outside the Metalships yard when some employees tried to cross picket lines. In an assembly today, three unions agreed to continue the strike.

Workers plan a protest march from Vigo to Santiago de Compostela on Monday and Tuesday. Five workers were arrested during yesterday's blockade of Vigo’s Citroën car factory, which led to fighting with police.

The leading Galician union CIG today rejected a regional government proposal meant to settle differences over pay. And Galician union leader Miguel Malvido today warned that the strike, backed by 27,000 workers, would continue even if yards

are forced to pay up to €1Bn ($1.39Bn) in fines.

The chairman of the HJ Barreras yard warned yesterday that such fines could end up making the yards insolvent.

"The vast disparity in the level of labour conditions between workers directly employed by yards and the majority of workers from the auxiliary industry will

have to be bridged for strike action to end,"

Malvido told Fairplay.

"Auxiliary shipyard workers are earning €900-1,000 a month for four 40-hour weeks,” he added.

Malvido accused yard executives of failing to raise conditions for auxiliary workers during the bonanza of yard orders of recent years.

(Source: Fairplay)