Balearic fuel protest

The second wave of industrial action by workers for Spain's main fuel distribution company, CLH, has started with union leaders in the Balearics warning that the four-day strike will this time have repercussions at the fuel pumps. Unions and management met for last ditch talks late on Tuesday night, but failed to reach an agreement and strike action was ordered to go ahead. But, while the unions have warned that they will be stepping up industrial action this time around and blockading fuel depots, petrol stations have been taking on extra supplies over the past few days in a bid to minimalise the effects of the strike. But tomorrow could prove to be a crunch day with petrol pumps having received no fuel supplies for two days and the strike due to continue until midnight Saturday. The unions' aim is for the strike to primarily have the maximum impact on the company and not the consumer, but in some areas, in particular rural areas of the Balearics, petrol stations are bound to be effected. On the final day of the first wave of strikes earlier this month, pickets managed to blockade Majorca's main fuel depot and some petrol stations only just managed to last out. Industrial action is being taken over pay, working conditions and plans to reduce the work force by as much as 30 per cent.