From November 5, 2024, butane gas distributors in Spain will begin a temporary strike, suspending home deliveries. The Spanish Federation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Distributors (Fedglp) announced this strike after failed attempts to resolve issues with both the government and the oil companies that control pricing.

Butane Strike Dates and Who Will Be Affected

The strike will affect deliveries on November 5, 13, 21, and 29, as well as December 5, 11, 17, and 23. Over six million homes and businesses will not receive their usual butane gas deliveries on these dates. However, there are some exceptions. Essential services like hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and organizations that assist vulnerable people will still receive deliveries.

Why Are Distributors Striking?

Distributors are protesting for two main reasons:

1. Outdated Pricing Rules: The current system for regulating the price of butane cylinders hasn’t been updated since 2015. The Federation wants the government, specifically the Ministry for Ecological Transition, to change these rules so prices better reflect rising costs.
2. Unfair Payment: Distributors say that the oil companies, which set the prices, are forcing them to operate at a loss. This makes it impossible to cover costs like paying workers and maintaining delivery trucks.

The Bigger Impact

If the situation isn’t resolved, the Federation warns that nearly 200 small delivery businesses could shut down, and over 3,500 jobs could be lost. This strike could also leave millions of households, particularly those in rural areas, without a crucial energy source for heating and cooking during the colder months throughout Spain.

The strike is a call for immediate action to protect the butane distribution sector and ensure millions of homes continue to have access to this essential service.

main image: Shutterstock/Gena Melendrez