The unions are calling for the First Mayor to rely on improving working conditions

As every May 1, the unions have called for the mobilization of all citizens to unite for better working conditions, and this year they are doing so in the midst of an economic crisis in which inflation hits the wallets of all families and after the publication of some negative employment figures.

The trade unions ELA and LAB again this week called for mobilization to achieve better working and living conditions, despite what they consider “worrying” data on the evolution of employment in Euskal Herria. Hegoalde lost a total of 11,100 jobs in the first three months of the year, 4,700 in the CAV and 6,400 in Navarre, according to the INE’s Active Population Survey (EPA). This data leaves the unemployment rate in Euskadi at 8.44% while in the Foral community it stands at 12.13%.

The Union DE A arrives on May 1 this year and delves into the defense of wages and pensions, and has therefore chosen the motto “Borrokan, irabazteko” in a double call with two demonstrations to be held next Monday in Bilbao (11:30 a.m. Sacred Heart) and Pamplona ( 11:30 Plaza de la Cruz).

ELA general secretary Mitxel Lakuntza stated that “ELA, as the majority union in this country, is proud that the Basque Country is at the forefront of the number of strikes”, as “there is a direct link between the strikes and the achievements”. Likewise, he recalled that these are data tailored to the “wave of strikes” taking place in Europe, where countries such as France, Portugal, Germany or the United Kingdom are “mobilizing for wages and pensions”.

For his part, LABORATORYdemanding a “radical change” of working conditions, has organized eight demonstrations in as many cities: Baiona (10:30 am train station), Bilbao (11:30 am Zabalburu), San Sebastián (12:00 pm Plaza Easo), Eibar (12:00 pm Untzaga Square), Vitoria (12:00 p.m. March 3rd Square), Pamplona (12:00 p.m. Plaza del Castillo), Maule (11:00 a.m. City Hall), and Tudela (12:30 p.m. Plaza de los Fueros).

LAB general secretary in Navarra, Imanol Karrera, has pointed out these days that “the crisis we are experiencing is structural and does nothing but make workers’ lives difficult. Meanwhile, capital continues to accumulate wealth.”

“It’s time to renew agreements, set a minimum wage of €1,400, start the debate on short-time work, improve public services and move towards a public community care system: there are no excuses, we have the power to make policy.” various fiscal and the development of decent public services,” said Karrera.

For their part, the trade unions CCOO and UGT Presenting themselves on this May 1, they emphasize their “track record” with the “successes” achieved in the social dialogue and make a “clear” appeal to employers: “We must” improve wages in these times of ” historical benefit levels”.

The secretary general of the CCOO of Euskadi, Loli García, and her counterpart in the UGT of Euskadi, Raúl Arza, presented in Bilbao the messages and mobilizations with which they will commemorate May 1 together. They will do this with demonstrations in the capitals under the motto ‘Raise wages, lower prices, distribute benefits’.

With the new election cycle approaching, both unions have also urged workers to participate in the polls and support progress proposals that bet on strengthening public services, progressive taxation, equality, decent wages and quality employment.

“It doesn’t matter who rules who rules” and “the policies that only austerity and the policies that are committed to improving rights are not the same thing,” noted Loli García.

In Pamplona, ​​the demonstration starts at 11:00 from the headquarters of both unions and ends in front of the employer’s headquarters to demand “more and better jobs and pay rises”, otherwise they will intensify the mobilizations. to reach a new employment and collective bargaining agreement that sets decent and fair wage increases”.

In Bilbao, the demonstration of both unions will start at 11:30 am from Sagrado Corazón and at 12:00 pm in San Sebastián and Vitoria, from Alderdi Eder and from the Virgen Blanca respectively.