Staff at Barcelona bike-sharing scheme Bicing announce indefinite strike

Staff at the Barcelona bike-sharing scheme Bicing are set to go on indefinite strike from 7am on Tuesday, November 14. 

The company committee, made up of the CGT and CCOO unions, is demanding a five-year agreement including a salary increase for the workforce, in line with the increase in the cost of living, according to a statement issued by CGT on Thursday. 

Unions are also asking for better pay for long-term staff, and for working weekends and holidays, as well as the introduction of bonuses. 

CGT says it is asking for a "decent" agreement and has criticized Barcelona City Council – the owners of Bicing – for its "lack of dialogue". 

Protests planned 

Bicing workers will gather from 10:30am on November 14 in Plaça Sant Jaume, outside City Hall. 

The following day they will protest outside the offices of the public company responsible for running the service, B:SM, and on November 16 they will return to Plaça Sant Jaume. 

CGT is critical of Bicing's "lack of resources," saying more vehicles and staff are needed, and that the number of bicycles should be increased above the current fleet of 7,000. 

Broken bikes "should be repaired and not parked at the stations," the statement said, arguing therefore that the replenishment service should be improved.