The most recent meeting between the committee and management took place last Tuesday, yielding no significant breakthroughs. However, Alaitz Egiazabal, president of the committee, noted an improved willingness to engage in dialogue, which could facilitate future meetings to resolve the situation, despite the committee's expectation for more clarifying discussions.
At the core of the dispute are two studies with differing conclusions regarding job evaluations. Management presented a report suggesting that 35% of the workforce was overpaid. In response, the committee conducted its own assessment, referencing job valuations from the Irun City Council and similar entities like Añarbeko Urak and Aguas de Gipuzkoa. Egiazabal explained that their study revealed that employees in lower-tier positions are paid less than those in comparable organizations, while management roles are compensated above the average.
“"We have a job evaluation on the table that management presented to us, stating that 35% of the staff was being overpaid. We conducted our own evaluation for comparison, taking as reference the job evaluations of the Irun City Council and other similar entities such as Añarbeko Urak or Aguas de Gipuzkoa. We have clearly seen that in the lower groups we are positioned below any entity we compare ourselves to, and conversely, management positions of responsibility are above any entity we compare ourselves to."
The salary increase proposed by the committee would cost approximately 360,000 euros, a figure not approved by management. Workers have appealed to the city councils of Irun and Hondarribia to advance negotiations, having met exceptionally with the mayors of both cities due to the complex situation. Typically, discussions are held directly with Txingudiko Zerbitzuak management.
This strike situation dates back to late 2024, when Txingudiko Zerbitzuak workers denounced the collective agreement. Platforms were presented in 2025, and the committee withdrew from the negotiation table in June. Since February, with the strike active, management proposed meetings in different blocks: two for job evaluations, one for purchasing power, another to establish aspects such as shift work and on-call duties, and the last for job equalization with the Irun city council. The city councils of Irun and Hondarribia have stated they will not make declarations while negotiations are ongoing.
