The right to early retirement for industrial vehicle drivers has taken center stage in Spain, with the unions UGT and Workers' Commissions (CCOO) announcing a strike scheduled for mid-October. The unions are protesting against both the associations of trucking companies, accused of blocking the introduction of early retirement, and the government, accused of failing to meet its political commitments. Before the strike, a meeting with employer associations is scheduled for September 2024.
In practical terms, the two unions are demanding the implementation of early retirement age reduction coefficients for heavy vehicle drivers and access to partial retirement. The first measure has been requested since 2011, while the second is currently in place but dependent on the employer's discretion. In this scenario, companies must pay social security for both the retiree and their potential replacement, thus lacking incentive to comply. On the business side, associations CETM and CNCT are advocating for a gradual introduction of new pension measures.
