Balearic Islands: Pay talks with civil servants stall — negotiations to continue tomorrow

Negotiations between government and unions adjourned

There was unrest last night in the offices of the Balearic government on the Passeig Marítim: talks about a possible pay increase for around 100,000 public-sector employees ended without a result. Representatives could not agree on the proposed package, which foresaw around 11 percent more spread over four years.

The meeting dragged on into the late afternoon, and it was then decided to adjourn the negotiations until the next day. Delegations are due to meet again tomorrow morning — the aim, officials say, is to try once more to bridge the differences.

Local allowances a bone of contention

A second central point of dispute are the so-called island allowances: unions are calling for a sizeable increase so that allowances in the Balearics are comparable to those in the Canary Islands. Many civil servants argue the island allowances must offset higher living costs, rents and additional transport expenses.

The government, on the other hand, argues there are fiscal limits. In small groups people were heard whispering in the corridor of Plaça de Cort that one "cannot put a rosy number" into the budget. In other words: more money, yes — but only if the financial leeway allows it.

What the stalemate could mean

An agreement would be noticeable for those who drive the buses in the mornings, work in health centres or process applications in town halls. But if talks continue to stall, concerns are growing that warning strikes or service shortages could occur. Unions do not explicitly threaten massive actions, but they stress they will keep up the pressure.

Between the negotiating tables there were also practical debates: How can an increase be distributed in a socially fair way? Which groups need a higher raise — and which should follow later? The answer will be important, because public opinion on the islands is divided: many understand the demands, while others worry about budgetary discipline.

Outlook

Tomorrow's meeting is seen as a critical point. Who will ultimately give in — or whether a compromise with partial solutions will be found — remains open. Until then the tone remains factual but cautiously tense. In the cafés on Carrer de Sant Miquel residents and employees are already discussing how possible additional payments would affect their daily lives: less stress at the end of the month, a bigger cushion in the monthly budget — or just empty promises again.