The Independent Trade Union and Civil Servants Association (CSIF) has published a press release clarifying different issues regarding the lack of local police in Haría on December 24, 25, and 31, and January 1, and regarding what the mayor of Haría, Alfredo Villalba, stated on the program Buenos días, Lanzarote of Radio Lanzarote-Onda Cero that "this situation would have consequences for the force."
Regarding the provision of services on holidays, CSIF assures that "it is incorrect to state that there were no services on December 24, 25, 31, and January 1. Ordinary services were provided normally on December 24 and January 1. However, on December 25 and 31, extraordinary services were not covered, due to the lack of personnel and the lack of agreement with the City Council regarding the compensation for extraordinary services."
In addition, they reveal that "from the Local Police, a solution was proposed to guarantee security during December 25 and 31, consisting of the payment of 30 euros per hour worked, in addition to granting two days off to the agents who offered to perform these shifts. Initially, the mayor accepted this proposal, but on the morning of the 24th, he informed the Acting Chief that he would only pay the 30 euros per hour, eliminating the granting of the two days off."
They also deny that "the local police requested to charge 1,000 euros per day of work, nor have they ever received 500 euros per day, as Villalba has stated. The reality is that the payment for overtime
during the year is made at a rate of 30 euros/hour in daytime service."
However, they continue that "as these are special days, such as December 25 and 31, the agents proposed to adhere to what is stipulated in article 36 of the signed and current Civil Servant agreement, in addition to two days off, since in December 2023, the modification of article 36 of overtime was approved in the General Table by unanimity so that those special days would be paid at 65 euros daytime and 100 euros nighttime. This agreement was not only signed for the Local Police but for all the City Council staff, whether they are employees or civil servants."
CSIF defends the force by arguing that "despite the lack of personnel, the Local Police of Haría has been committed to covering the necessary services during the last six months. Currently, the staff has only 7 agents, because, since 2007, no new positions have been announced and three police officers have retired. It should be added that one of the officers is performing the duties of Secretary of the City Council."
On the other hand, regarding the mayor's statements regarding the number of agents on duty, they state that "they are not correct, since he indicated that there were 6 agents, unaware that the current staff is composed of 7 officers."
In addition, "it is important to point out that the decree sent to the Acting Chief refers only to the coverage of "Christmas events 24-25", not to ordinary services, which contravenes judgment no. 229/23, issued on September 30, 2023. Currently, the legal cabinet of the CSIF union is analyzing the content of said Decree to determine if any irregularity has occurred, susceptible to being reported to the Courts," they declare.
Finally, CSIF reiterates that "the group of agents of the Local Police of Haría have maintained at all times their willingness to dialogue, with the sole objective of guaranteeing the security of the municipality and the well-being of its citizens."