Barcelona lifeguards call off strike after reaching agreement with employer

Barcelona's lifeguards decided on Saturday evening to call off the strike that began on Friday after reaching an agreement with their employer.

Workers had long complained of poor working conditions and that Aunar, the company the council outsources the service to, consistently failed to hire enough people over the summer during the high season.

After meeting with union representatives for hours, Aunar has agreed to "urgently" hire more staff in order to cover all shifts while ensuring workers' rest periods are respected.

The company has also agreed to schedule medical visits for employees, hand over paychecks before the 5th of each month, and create a rotation system so that no one lifeguard has a longer than 6-hour shift.

Union sources said they would be meeting with the company and local authorities on Monday to put this deal in writing.

Health authorities urge caution

Catalan public health officials urge swimmers to be cautious at both beaches and swimming pools following the recent drownings across Catalonia.

The warning, issued last Tuesday on World Drowning Prevention Day, notes that anyone is at risk of drowning, especially when exposed to drastic temperature changes or strenuous physical activity.

It advises against swimming alone and recommends going to beaches with lifeguards, not swimming when there is a red flag, after eating, sunbathing for a long time, or excessive exercise.

There have been around 30 fatal drownings in Catalonia this year, more than half of which occurred in June and July.