One year before the union elections in Catalan workplaces – scheduled for 2027 – the Trade Union Confederation of Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) has launched its campaign in an event called “Salaries, ceiling and rights.” In a pavilion filled with about 2,000 delegates, the union seeks to “gain strength to face the union elections” and “continue being the leading union in Catalonia,” as stated by Belén López, general secretary of CCOO of Catalonia.
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“We want to send clear messages to employers, parties, and the Generalitat of Catalonia,” López continued. As the conference title warned, the delegate’s demands were directed at requesting a salary increase. “We ask employers to sit down to negotiate agreements, which must imply a salary increase in the face of the loss of purchasing power.” An argument reinforced by Unai Sordo, general secretary of the CCOO Confederation, who added that Spain is experiencing a “paradox,” where there have never been so many people working, but salaries are “stagnant” and do not suffice “to cope with the cost of living.” They relate this situation to the war in the Middle East but also warn companies and the Generalitat: “We demand that the Generalitat create an observatory to monitor price increases.” This way, the reason for this rise can be known, López stated. “We will not pay for this war again.”
This was not the only demand. Sordo requested a salary increase of between 4 and 7% in the collective agreement. “In the face of fragmentation due to privatization, it is time to launch a major offensive.” The general secretary added that tax cuts “benefit the upper classes” and that “microscopic measures” are needed. That is why CCOO proposes a negative income tax that “transfers” up to 300 euros to families to “help them cope with costs.” Sordo also warned that behind this privatization, “there is a political bet.”
Both criticized the housing crisis and recalled that in the last year, prices have risen by 12%. “Neither people without homes nor homes without people,” Sordo exclaimed, referring to housing speculation and tourist apartments. He was also asked about the extraordinary regulation of immigrants, approved two days ago: “It is great news.” Sordo assured that this regulation will “reduce the vulnerability of neighbors who are working” and that it is a “very important milestone.” Sordo clarified that the indefinite strike in immigration services called a couple of days ago “will not affect the regularization” and called to “debunk social media hoaxes.”
The CCOO assembly also included the general secretary of CGIL of Lombardy, Valentina Cappeletti; the leader of CGT of Occitania, Serge Ragazzacci; and a delegation from the Workers’ Party of Brazil, who highlighted the work of unions in the face of the rise of the far right: “We have the responsibility to defeat the right. We need the capacity to fight for peace, justice, and equality,” Cappeletti stated.
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López wanted to refer to the Global Progressive Mobilisation (GPM), the platform promoted by Pedro Sánchez and Stefan Löfven – president of the Party of European Socialists – which seeks to coordinate progressive forces to face the challenges of global politics, starting tomorrow in Barcelona: “The solution is not reels. It is strengthening class organizations and public policies that guarantee people’s rights,” she commented.
Sordo will participate in the opening session, called Defending democracy through social justice; unions on the front line, where other unions such as UGT and its general secretary Pepe Álvarez will also participate.
During the congress days, Pedro Sánchez, Lula Da Silva (President of Brazil), Gustavo Petro (President of Colombia), António Costa (President of the European Council), Teresa Ribera (Executive Vice President of the European Commission), and the mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani, who will participate via video, will also take part.
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