Coach sector expected to sign agreement

Management and unions were expected to sign an agreement last night which would put an end to the conflict in the transport sector, that led to the coach drivers' three day strike which affected half a million passengers at the three airports of Majorca, Minorca and Ibiza. Balearic government leader Francesc Antich called the two sides together for yet another round of talks yesterday and it looked as though agreement would be reached, according to Carlos Sedano, labour consultant for the management sector. In general terms, the agreement would mean a wage rise of 18 per cent, while the main stumbling block (a shift system to prevent long working days of up to 16 hours) would be studied by a joint committee which would be set up after the agreement is signed. But management has already said that due to the special conditions of the sector, it will not be possible to introduce shifts for all the workers. Sedano said “the mediation of the Balearic government must triumph this afternoon.” He was speaking at a press conference called by management, who repeated their commitment to sitting down with unions and government, to study points such as shifts, rest periods, lack of staff and the need to employ more workers.