The Christmas strike by rubbish collectors in Málaga has ended but around 1,500 tons of waste still litter the streets and it will take several days to clear.
The strike did nothing for the image of the city as visiting tourists, looking forward to a great Christmas holiday, were greeted with piles of smelly garbage.
Retailers and restaurant owners have been badly affected by the strike and even resorted to hiring private companies to try and clear some of the rubbish from in front of their premises.
An agreement in principle was reached to end the industrial action and this was later ratified at an assembly of workers.
The agreement includes a wages freeze, an end to the productivity bonus, 15 days vacation between May and October and 21 days in the winter, the September pay next year rises from €920 to €1,200 and the working week will be Monday to Friday.