Basque Police set to strike during Tour de France 2023 presentation in Bilbao

The Ertzainas will protest the lack of renewal of the agreement of the Basque autonomous police during the presentation of the Tour de France teams in Bilbao on Thursday 29. Several hundred agents mobilized last Tuesday in Vitoria, in response to a joint appeal by the unions and the collective "Ertzainas en Lucha".

The situation escalated after a brief and unsuccessful meeting of the labor conditions negotiation table at the Ertzaintza last Friday. The unions left the meeting considering that a decent offer was not presented, and since then there have been no further contacts by the Basque Government with the unions.

The general secretary of Erne, Sergio Gómez de Segura, affirmed this Tuesday that there have been no more calls from the Basque Government to the unions. Faced with this lack of communication, the Ertzainas have decided to hold a rally or demonstration during the presentation of the Tour teams in Bilbao, although they have not yet determined the exact form of protest they will adopt.

No decision has been made on whether these protests could jeopardize the holding of the Tour de France (sources consulted by our Spanish, sister channel, Ciclismo Aldia have guaranteed us that the start of the Tour in the Basque Country is not in jeopardy at all, since the minimum services are guaranteed), which is scheduled to start on Saturday in Bilbao. However, the trade unionist emphasized that after years of cuts, it is necessary to reach an agreement and renew the agreement to guarantee adequate working conditions for the Ertzainas.

The lack of progress in the negotiations and the absence of an offer considered fair by the unions have led to this mobilization of the Ertzainas, who want to ensure that their labor rights and working conditions are respected and improved. These protests could have an impact on the celebration of the Tour de France, raising concern for both the organizers and cycling fans.

The Tour de France is an emblematic competition that attracts thousands of spectators and tourists every year, so any alteration in its development could have both economic and image repercussions for the Basque region. It is important that the parties involved find a satisfactory solution to avoid potential disruptions and ensure safety during the sporting event.