Ertzaintza officers to receive €4,200 annual pay rise: “The best agreement in its history”

The Basque Government and police unions are currently finalizing an agreement that marks the end of 13 years of labor disputes, heralding what signatories are calling “the best labor agreement in the 42-year history” of the Ertzaintza. The 7,330 active officers are set to receive an annual increase of €4,200, alongside other improvements to their working conditions until 2028.

A Historic Agreement After Years of Conflict

After twelve years of negotiations with the Security Department of the Basque Government, police unions are celebrating a landmark agreement. According to Mikel Ormazabal, writing for El País, this agreement is representing a significant step forward for the Ertzaintza. The Basque Government is committing €45 million to modernize the Basque police force and expand its staff to 8,000 officers by the end of the current legislative term in 2028.

Investigan agresión policial a mujer detenida en San Sebastián
Tendencias Investigan agresión policial a mujer detenida en San SebastiánLa Ertzaintza investiga una presunta agresión policial a una mujer detenida en San Sebastián, que ingresó en la UCI con un edema cerebral y una parálisis parcial. El caso ha generado gran preocupación y la investigación interna deberá determinar si hubo un uso excesivo de la fuerza.

The last agreement of this kind was dating back to 2012. Successive administrations led by Iñigo Urkullu had faced challenges in reaching a consensus with the unions. This impasse had led to internal conflict, the emergence of the non-union platform 'Ertzainas en Lucha' (Ertzaintza Officers in Struggle), and numerous street protests, including traffic blockades in the three Basque capitals, demonstrations in front of the Parliament, and threats to disrupt security during the Tour de France in 2024.

Details of the Agreement

The agreement, endorsed by Erne, Esan, and Sipe—representing over three-quarters of the Ertzaintza's union representation—is including a minimum 10% salary increase (€4,200 annually) and is backdated to January 1. It also is ensuring equal productivity and benefits compared to other Basque Government employees. The package is also featuring new bonuses, training allowances, compensation for participation in public order operations (riot control), and increased holiday pay.

Condena del Supremo a un ertzaina por torturas: cuatro meses de arresto y dos años de suspensión
Tendencias Condena del Supremo a un ertzaina por torturas: cuatro meses de arresto y dos años de suspensiónEl Tribunal Supremo ha confirmado la sentencia que condena a un ertzaina a cuatro meses de arresto y dos años de suspensión por torturas. Es la primera condena de este tipo a un policía autonómico.

Former Security Minister Josu Erkoreka stated last year that most officers were earning a net monthly salary of €2,500, to which the agreed increases will now be applied. A consultation preceding the signing of the agreement with the Security Department showed that 72% of the members of the three signatory unions supported the new conditions, with over 5,000 officers in favor, according to Sergio Gómez de Segura, Secretary-General of Erne.

«In over 40 years of the Ertzaintza, there has not been such a comprehensive agreement, both in terms of financial contributions and material resources and training. It has been a very important transversal agreement,» says Juan Carlos Sáenz, head of the Sipe police union.

Government Perspectives and Future Plans

Current Security Minister Bingen Zupiria is emphasizing that the agreement «will serve to improve and modernize the service provided by the Ertzaintza and strengthen the integral character» of the force. Recent improvements include the acquisition of 300 BMW X1 vehicles to replace the current Seat patrol cars, costing the government €70,094 per high-end hybrid car.

Zupiria is assuring that, in addition to increasing officers' salaries, his department is committed to promoting continuous training and specialization in investigation and intelligence to address emerging crimes and the rise in crime rates in Euskadi. Data from the Ministry of the Interior indicates a 68% increase in homicides and murders (74 in total) last year, as well as a 27.4% increase in sexual assaults.

Addressing Key Challenges

The Basque Government is aiming to reduce the amount of overtime worked by officers, which cost €7.5 million in 2024 (double the amount from four years ago), largely due to the current workforce being nearly 700 officers short of the committed number. Furthermore, over the next three years, just over 1,200 officers are planning to retire. The Security Department is maintaining its goal to reach 8,000 Ertzaintza officers, although officials are acknowledging that meeting this commitment is proving difficult due to challenges in replacing retirees, a problem common across various sectors of the labor market.

As El País is reporting, the agreement is representing a significant investment in the Ertzaintza, not only in terms of salaries but also in resources and training. The focus on modernization and specialization is aiming to equip the force to meet the evolving challenges of crime in the region, while the commitment to increasing the number of officers is addressing the issue of understaffing and reducing the burden of overtime.

Key Points of the Agreement:

  • Annual pay rise of €4,200 for all active Ertzaintza officers.
  • €45 million investment in modernizing the Basque police force.
  • Goal to reach 8,000 officers by 2028.
  • New bonuses, training allowances, and increased holiday pay.
  • Acquisition of 300 BMW X1 patrol vehicles.