Hundreds of firefighters employed by the Generalitat, Catalonia's regional government, marched through central Barcelona on Friday 18 September to demand improved working conditions and more resources for emergency response.
The demonstration began at Plaça de Sant Jaume and was expected to continue to the Department of Interior. For Barcelona residents, the unions argue that better equipment, staffing support and training are necessary for firefighters to respond to increasingly complex emergencies.
Joan Vidal of the CGT union told ACN that restoring firefighters' lost purchasing power was one demand, but that the protest was not limited to pay.
Protection from contaminants and more operational support
Union representatives said firefighters need better management of contaminants encountered during their work. They called for stronger measures to protect staff from exposure to those substances.
The demands presented during the march included:
- more resources for the fire service;
- training and an effective support structure so crews have the tools required for their work;
- measures to recover purchasing power lost in recent years; and
- steps to increase women's representation in the fire service.
Unions link working conditions to emergency response
The unions said the service must adapt its structure to current emergency needs, including through what they described as effective feminisation of the workforce, meaning a greater presence of women in the fire service.
According to the unions, improved training, adequate resources, protection from contaminants and better employment conditions are needed for the corps to meet new emergency challenges.
Reported by barnadiario.com, Catalan News, Barna Diario.
