Almost 200 players from across the Spanish Women’s First Division clubs held a meeting on 22 October which culminated an overwhelming vote for strike action.
Convened by the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE), the gathering was informed by the players’ union about the lack of progress in its negotiations with Association of Women’s Football Clubs (ACFF) .
More than 93% of the vote was in favour of the AFE calling a strike – from a date yet to be decided – in their fight for a Collective Agreement after more than 13 months without agreement.
While unions are asking for at least €20,000, the ACFF propose a minimum wage of €16,000,
Ainhoa Tirapu, Athletic Club player and vice president of the AFE Women’s Soccer Committee told afe-futbol.com: “We have had 18 meetings with comings and goings, but the reality is that footballers need a decent agreement to recognize their labour rights.”
She acknowledged that: “It is a hard day for me, but in view of the fact that negotiations could not be advanced … We asked for minimum rights as workers. We have struggled to achieve it, we have lowered our lines, but nothing has been achieved. Now we can fight and we are paving the way for other players.”
