The mobilization, which took place in the Anfiteatro de la Rambla, brought together numerous employees who, under the slogan of "labor dignity," raised their voices against the employer blockade that has kept the collective bargaining agreement stalled since late 2024. Protesters highlighted the paradox that, while the province is recognized as the "orchard of Europe," the approximately 30,000 people who sustain this industry, mostly women and migrants, face working days exceeding 50 hours per week.
“"We are not machines; we are the ones who fill the trucks."
The protest brought to light the hidden precariousness in the sector, evidenced by late-night shift notifications and the absence of monthly salaries. Additionally, unions warned about high silent accident rates, manifested in ailments such as carpal tunnel syndrome and back problems, stemming from repetitive tasks in warehouses.
Negotiations for the agreement are at a standstill after 14 unfruitful meetings. The employer's proposal, which includes extending the agreement until 2030 with salary increases of 2% starting in 2027, has been deemed "regressive" by union federations, who argue it would lead to an unsustainable loss of purchasing power. The sector demands a legal framework of 40 hours per week and a salary increase of 4% above the Minimum Interprofessional Wage (SMI) of 1,221 euros.
The reference to the "Granada model" was constant during the concentration, where Almería's workers demanded parity with their counterparts in Granada, who have already achieved salary revisions in line with the CPI and hourly rates that ensure family stability. Unions consider what was agreed in the neighboring province as the indispensable minimum threshold for any future agreement in Almería.
Union representatives warned that this mobilization is just the beginning. Given the urgency of renewing an expired agreement that does not reflect the economic reality of a province with record exports, attention is now focused on next Wednesday's sectoral fair. If there are no moves from the employers, the unions have made it clear that the protests will move to the pavilions, transforming the showcase of Almería's "green gold" into the scene of a European-scale labor conflict with potential repercussions on the supply chain.
