The meeting was called by the temporary representatives of the mobilized workers who, last Thursday, April 30, met with the Secretary General for Research at the Ministry of Science, and was communicated electronically to all signatories of the statement. At 12:00 p.m., the text summarizing the points discussed at that meeting was read aloud. Immediately afterward, a round of questions and suggestions was opened, during which the following issues were discussed:
- Addition of Ms. Natalia Catalá to the list of recently laid-off workers.
- It has been argued that the Workers’ Collective was formed, with the support of 240 workers, as an immediate response to the inaction of the works council, the workers’ legal representative. Since the Workers’ Collective has no legal status or authority as an institutional body, and lacks union backing to access labor and organizational information regarding the facility and its workers, questions have been raised as to whether the movement should instead be channeled through the CNIO's Works Council (Comité de Empresa in Spanish, hereafter CdE for short). In response to this argument, several points have been raised:
- A majority of the workers present expressed their dissatisfaction and sadness regarding the situation
and reaffirmed their commitment to the mobilization aimed at ending the crisis and improving conditions
for the center and its workers.
- The workers present express their frustration with the CdE, which does not seem to represent
their interests and has even failed to fulfill its duties. However, the CSIF union members,
which is represented on the CdE, attend the meetings and offers legal support.
- Members of the Collective and CSIF explain that they tried to contact the CdE without success.
In the face of its inaction, a spontaneous movement has emerged to defend the rights and interests of the workers and the center.
- Given the need for an effective representative body, several workers have called for the dissolution
of the CdE. The discussion concluded that September–November (the scheduled date for union elections for
the CdE) is a reasonable timeframe to organize and present a strong electoral alternative.
- It is concluded that, on a temporary basis until the possible renewal of the CdE takes effect,
the platform will continue to pursue its demands, without this being incompatible with the CdE.
- To that end, it is proposed that the questionnaire be sent out again to seek the endorsement of the representatives as a provisional body representing the workers in the absence of an active collegiate body.
Therefore, the following demands have been agreed upon and presented to the CNIO's Management; it is expected that these will be addressed within one month, and failure to do so will compel the continuation of the workers’ protests, which were initially scheduled for April 30 and postponed in response to a request by Ms. Eva Ortega, and as a show of support for the new Director of the Management Department, Ms. Cristina Navarro Enterría. However, given the exceptional nature and gravity of the situation, we agree that this support cannot be unconditional and requires demonstrations of transparency on the part of the CNIO’s governing bodies. Thus:
- We request that the Director of the Management Department recognize the CNIO Workers’ Collective as a valid and
legitimate body for leading the effort to improve the situation, without excluding the CdE.
- We ask that the Director of the Management Department share with all CNIO staff the list of priorities that will guide her course
of action over the coming months, and confirm whether this is aligned with the Scientific Direction.
- In light of the above, Management should present a clear and accessible action plan to the employees.
- Recognizing that, unlike in the past, Management will not act in isolation, we demand an explanation of
the strategic plan for Scientific Direction signed by Mr. Fernando Peláez and how it will be implemented following the
appointment of Mr. Raúl Rabadán.
- We demand regular informational meetings. Transparency regarding the plans and progress of Management and
the Scientific Direction, based on the workers’ demands.
- We are requesting assurances that the new Management will fulfill the requirements and/or promises it has made.
We understand that the demands described above should be presented to all CNIO employees, although we recognize that the new Director of the Management Department may prefer to first discuss them in a meeting with representatives of the platform.
The requests will be forwarded to Management to bring the situation to their attention, and we will await a response.