Strikes or launching threats are multiplying in recent months, echoing a rising level of unpublished prices in the kingdom for thirty years.
by
After having obtained “90% of their claims”, according to the workers’ commission union (CCOO), the somaners (responsible for mooring operations) of the Port of Barcelona ended a week of strike, Monday 24 January. In addition to an increase in the workforce, the employers gave them an increase of 6.7% of their salary. As much as the record inflation recorded in Spain in December 2021.
“Once again, the struggle of the workers borne fruit”, concluded the union in a statement, hoping that “this agreement can serve as an example”. In a country of ordinary little shaken by social conflicts, strikes or threats of disengagement are multiplying in recent months, echoing an inflation level never seen in thirty years.
Workers of metallurgy companies in the province of Cadiz, Andalusia (South) – which employ nearly 29,000 people essential for the functioning of large industrial groups located locally, such as Airbus, Navantia and Acerinox -, had opened the Protests ball, November 9, 2021. Their muscular manifestations at the entrance of the shipyards, accompanied by barricades and road cuts, and enamelled clashes with the police, have made the headlines for more than more than Ten days.
“Renovation of paralyzed collective agreements”
After five meetings and fifty-two hours of negotiations, an agreement was finally found, on November 25: a retroactive increase of 2% of wages over the year 2021, which will be followed by similar increases in 2022 and 2023, Before recovering, in 2024, 80% of the difference between the inflation recorded over the period and the rise in wages conquered. Minority unions criticized these “crumbs”, given the level of inflation of then.
If, in November, it was 5.5% in December, it bonded 6.7%. Food prices have grown 5% alone. To mitigate the impact, the left-wing government increased by 2.5% pension pensions, 3% the minimum vital income and 2% the employee’s salary. “We must avoid wage increases that transform inflation into structural inflation”, at the same time warned the Minister of the Economy, Nadia Calviño.
The eight million Spanish workers governed by the 2,886 collective agreements recorded in 2021 have seen their salary progressively than 1.47%, the lowest revaluation for four years, remind unions. “During the [COVID-19] pandemic, the renovation of collective agreements was paralyzed, explains Raul Olmos, Head of Trade Union Action and Employment of CCOOs. But the resumption of negotiations is accompanied by a unbridled inflation that breaks the Purchasing power of workers. Conflictality will probably go Crescendo, “he predicts.
You have 41% of this article to be read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.