The main aim of the protest is to force employers to come to the negotiating table and accept a pay rise endorsed by second vice president and labor minister Yolanda Díaz.
The trade unions defend the common good and while some companies are benefiting from the international energy crisis and the consequences of the war in Ukraine, workers find it difficult and it is legitimate to speak out publicly, Díaz chose the Spanish television room La Hora de la Uno . .
With that in mind, Díaz, who alone is driving the Sumar project, a movement with campaign-like undertones for next year, reflected on the urgency of raising minimum wages in Spain.
General Workers’ Union (UGT) leader Pepe Alvarez and Workers’ Commissions (CCOO) Unai Sordo led the demonstrations through the heart of the Spanish capital, leading to the Plaza Mayor.
Alvarez and Sordo agreed by emphasizing that raising wages is essential to fight inflation, while warning that if progress is not made in this direction, the conflict will continue in the streets. We seek work improvements that will allow us to maintain purchasing power (…), employers are blocking collective agreements because they want to deny us a salary increase, denounced the main figure of the UGT.
For his part, Unai Sordo explained that Spain is in a price crisis due to the increase in energy costs, “but this is also linked to the decision of companies and employers to influence these cost increases in order to protect their margins and profits. “
Izquierda Unida (IU) showed her sympathy for the demonstration with total support and “very active participation” by her militants, sympathizers, officials and members of her leadership.
The IU, which is part of the central government coalition like United We Can, argued that collective bargaining and its extension to all economic and manufacturing sectors is the “best formula for workers to make progress towards improving agreements on rights and equality.” of gender to achieve salaries or social security”.
Although the tour had a combative character through points of the capital such as Atocha, Puerta de Toledo and Plaza de España, it was carried out calmly and in a festive atmosphere.
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