Costa Cálida
Striking court officers bring Murcia courts to a near standstill
By m.p.
Feb 6, 2008 - 6:33 PM

The court officers’ strike taking place in the Murcia Region is stopping close to five hundred cases from going ahead every day, 20 minutos reports. It affects criminal, administrative and civil cases, and also includes the Civil Registries. Minimum services are in place to cover cases which are seen as urgent.

The strike began on Monday and, according to unions, has had 90% support: the Justice Ministry puts the number at 47.7%. There were some moments of tension in Murcia City on Tuesday, where a group of pickets tried to stop a trial which unions say did not fall within the minimum services. The judge refused, and ordered the court to be cleared. National Police were at the scene, but the trial was, in the event, suspended when the two parties involved in the case agreed between to them request a postponement.

The striking court officers want their salaries brought in line with staff in other Spanish regions where responsibility for the justice system has been devolved. Other strikes are taking place in Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, La Rioja, Baleares and Asturias.