Andorra Firefighters Halt Overtime and Training Over Pay and Safety Disputes

Andorra's SIB A-118 firefighters union, representing 90% of the force, has stopped voluntary overtime and external training sessions following an extraordinary assembly on Thursday evening. The measures, approved unanimously, took effect Friday amid stalled negotiations with the government over working conditions, staffing shortages, equipment needs, and stalled career reforms.

The union highlighted a lack of progress on consolidating specialty recognition, upgrading park facilities and installations, renewing vehicles and gear, and hiring more personnel. Members also reviewed the status of the AVAC evaluation system, career plans, and ongoing demands during the meeting. The actions stem directly from the assembly's mandate, prompted by the executive's silence, the union stated in a communiqué.

Staffing concerns feature prominently, with the union two weeks ago calling for nine to eleven new hires annually through 2031 to match population growth. This follows a technical study by firefighters targeting a ratio of 1.5 personnel per 1,000 residents. That figure has dropped from 1.69 to 1.34 over the past decade, reducing coverage by 20.3%. The study projects 35 retirements between 2026 and 2031, noting over 40% of the force is now aged 51 or older.

Salary disputes persist, with the government proposing 1.33% annual raises from 2009 to 2025, while SIB A-118 seeks 1.66% through 2026, applied fully to current staff without partial performance payments. The union objects to AVAC's advancement rules—requiring a 7/10 average across competencies with no score below 6/10 in five areas—pushing instead for a 5/10 threshold and offset options.

Further demands cover operational minimums like 12 staff at Central Park and four at each peripheral site, vehicle age limits, a dedicated renewal fund, overtime reforms, and restoring 40 annual sick leave hours. Health measures include decontamination setups at all parks—separate clean and contaminated zones, dual clothing sets, washing facilities—and regular cancer screenings, citing the International Agency for Research on Cancer's 2022 classification of firefighters' exposures as carcinogenic.

The boycott will continue until the government provides firm commitments for adequate operational and professional standards. No official response has emerged.