The Government's sub-delegate in Cádiz, Blanca Flores, informed journalists that the manner in which the two workers gained access to the Navantia San Fernando facilities, a military shipyard with restricted access, is currently "under investigation".
“"The right to demonstrate, assemble, and strike is perfectly enshrined in regulations, and they know perfectly well how to address institutions to be heard."
The welders, identified as Manuel Balber, 54, and Jesús Galván, 51, both from Cádiz with 30 years of experience, have been protesting since April 9, 2026. They assert they will not descend from the crane until they are addressed by the Minister of Finance, Arcadi España, or his predecessor, María Jesús Montero.
Sources from Navantia have reported that a security protocol has been established, and the protesters have been provided with food, water, and blankets. The public company has reiterated that it does not use "blacklists" and that its personnel selection processes are regulated and agreed upon with social representation based on criteria of equality, merit, and capacity. They also clarified that when contracting auxiliary industries, they contract "services," and therefore do not decide which workers are employed by these companies.
The workers claim that despite their extensive experience and the increased workload in the Bay of Cádiz since 2024, they have been rejected by most companies since 2019. They attribute this situation to their active participation in protests and strikes as prominent members of the Metal Workers' Coordinator, leading them to believe they are victims of "blacklists".
The protest has caused significant traffic jams for several kilometers leading to the island factory since six in the morning, due to pickets hindering access to the shipyard. The welders have also reported that Navantia security has sealed off the crane access area, preventing their colleagues from providing them with additional provisions.
