The lifeguards of the beaches of Málaga, on strike since May 9, have once again called for the intervention of the City Council due to the breach of contract by UTE SGG-Atlantic. They report a lack of equipment, dismissals, and risky situations for bathers.
The lifeguards of the beaches of Málaga are maintaining their pressure against the service provider, UTE SGG-Atlantic, and have once again raised their complaints to the City Council. The spokesperson for the strike committee, Emiliano Cortés, stated this week that the company "is not complying with the contract terms" for the lifeguard and rescue service, something he already reported at the municipal plenary on June 25.
Cortés is one of the six members of the strike committee who were dismissed last month by the company. The dismissal was disciplinary, according to the company, for not adhering to minimum services, but the worker considers it null: "Minimum services never existed because they have to be decreed by the Junta de Andalucía," he declared. The CGT union has already deemed the dismissal null for that reason.
Defective equipment and heat-related illnesses
The workers' representative detailed that UTE SGG-Atlantic breaches the contract "completely". Among the shortcomings, he pointed out that the protective equipment provided is defective and that basic equipment is missing. "Several colleagues have taken sick leave due to heat-related illnesses", he warned, highlighting the precarious working conditions during the peak beach season.
Additionally, new lifeguards have to provide their own whistles, glasses, caps, and booties, and neither supervisors nor rescuers have wetsuits, despite the company committing to provide them before Sercla in March of this year, following the 2025 strike. "Last week, a three-month-old child went into cardiac arrest and the lifeguard in the area was out of communication" due to a lack of battery in the walkie-talkies, recalled Nacho Azcona, another committee member who was also dismissed.
Municipal file opened and three lifeguards on active strike
The City Council of Málaga has opened a file against the company for these breaches, according to the Council in the last plenary session. However, the workers believe that the municipal response is insufficient. "We need the City Council to act ex officio, because the health of bathers is at stake," warned Cortés.
Currently, only three lifeguards remain on active strike, joined by the six dismissed and another six seasonal workers who have not been called by the company due to their alignment with the demands. The strike, which began on May 9, has been extended until November 1, thus covering the entire summer season.
For the Málaga bather, the situation translates into a potential decrease in safety on the beaches. With fewer operational lifeguards and insufficient equipment, the risk of incidents increases. The City Council, for its part, claims to be monitoring compliance with the contract, but the workers insist that the measures are slow and that the company continues to fail to correct the deficiencies.
The next court date will be crucial: the trial for the dismissals of the six committee members is scheduled for September. In the meantime, the lifeguards will continue on the beaches with their own whistles and the hope that the City Council will tighten the screws on the contractor.
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