According to a press release from the LAB union, the strike will last until April 17. The strike notice was registered on April 1 with the Department of Economy, Labor and Employment of the Basque Government, citing the company's unwillingness to address serious shortcomings in prevention, safety, and occupational health.
These figures are not mere records to swell a cruel statistic, but rather the reflection of an ecosystem that puts the health and very lives of workers at risk.
The union reports that between August 8, 2025, and March 31, 2026, several workplace accidents occurred at Estaños Matiena. One such incident, on January 31, resulted in the death of a young worker. LAB emphasizes that the company has disregarded workers' attempts to organize prevention and properly implement occupational health regulations.
Instead, the company has responded with threats, authoritarian attitudes, and a lack of transparency, withholding information and disclaiming all responsibility. Workers have long reported various risks, including poor machinery conditions, lack of maintenance, and the health impact of chemicals used. The fatal accident earlier this year escalated the situation, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen preventive measures.
Employees allege that the company has failed to take necessary measures to protect workers' health and ensure their safety. Furthermore, it has acted in bad faith and with opacity in its dealings with worker representatives, failing to respond to written requests, delaying responses, denying information to the prevention delegate, and unjustifiably concealing the labor inspection report for an extended period.
LAB adds that the company, not content with denying responsibility for the workplace accidents, has threatened the union representative with legal action if the information were made public. Workers believe that the company's policy contradicts basic prevention principles, directly endangering employees' safety and health.
