26.9.16 First of Union Demonstrations; Latest Sherry Educator Course

The first in a series of trade union demonstrations took place today in front of Bodegas Fundador. Another is scheduled for Wednesday in El Puerto de Santa María. Despite Fedejerez responding to union complaints, the unions still feel there is a gulf between the positions of the two sides in the dispute over the XXV Convenio de la Vid. Both sides say they are happy to sit down and talk, but there is little sign of that happening.

The XIV Sherry Educator Course took place last week with 31 wine professionals in attendance from no fewer than 11 countries. The Consejo Regulador introduced the course 14 years ago to train these professionals as ambassadors who would promote and spread knowledge about Sherry around the world. During an intensive 3 days they visit vineyards and bodegas, attend high level lectures and tastings, and sit an exam. Since the course began nearly 600 people have become Sherry Educators and their names are listed on the Consejo website: www.sherry.wine through which local Educators can be contacted if the need arises for a Sherry tasting or advice.

16.9.16 Union Protests Set for 26th September

After a fruitless meeting with Fedejerez yesterday over the XXV Convenio de la Vid, between 800 and 900 workers will mount protests at the entrances to bodegas starting on the 26^th of this month. They accuse Fedejerez of wanting to get rid of worker rights accrued over decades. If the protests achieve nothing, then strike action will take place, but the unions will always be open to talks and hope the matter can be settled by the end of the year.

The union building in Jerez was packed for the decisive meeting (foto:CCOO)

12.9.16 Industrial Action in Jerez? Global Fortified Masters

On Thursday the UGT and CCOO unions, representing workers in all aspects of the Sherry trade, and Fedejerez which represents the bodegas, will meet at the negotiating table to try and thrash out a new deal, but the workers are threatening strike action if Fedejerez does not soften the stance it has maintained since last month’s meeting failed to reach agreement. Strikes have happened before, like in 1982 and 1991, for example, but at least this time the harvest is done.

Every few years a contract, known as the Convenio de la Vid, is drawn up, and agreed by both sides. It can be varied by agreement however, and this happened in the last convenio of 2011-2015, when the workforce agreed to waive their annual pay rises as a gesture to help the bodegas through the world financial crisis. Now they want to reintroduce it but the bodegas are not keen, saying that some have gone out of business and that the crisis is not over yet.

Furthermore, Fedejerez wants to reduce starting pay for new staff and end extra payments for length of service, which could represent some 20% of the pay of a long-serving worker. The bodegas have also been accused of employing many more part timers. The unions say that the bodegas are making good profits and are in good shape, especially with all the recent Asian investment, and will continue to prepare for strike action while not abandoning the possibility of negotiation.

Drinks Business Magazine is seeking final entries for the III Global Fortified Masters competition. Wines will be blind tasted by a panel of Masters of Wine. They are encouraging small and medium-sized producers to enter and show how well they can compete with the big firms. The deadline for entries is September 30. Results will be published in the magazine, online, and in social media.