Demonstration of UGT and CCOO on the streets of Gasteiz. (Aitor Calasatore | FOKU)
The UGT and CCOO trade unions once again raised banners on May Day in the streets of Hego Euskal Herliá’s four capitals, demanding the need to strengthen workers’ rights, social cohesion and democracy in the face of growing speech that they believe seeks to divide the working class.
Behind a banner with the slogan “Rubakilik, Escubidek”. Hundreds of people took part in a march in Irnia with the slogan “Payments, Housing and Democracy”, moving through the city center in an atmosphere of festival and protest.
Many of those in attendance carried flags representing both unions, and the mobilization was supported by PSN leaders, led by general secretary Lehendakari Maria Chibite. Izquierda Unida and coordinator Carlos Guzman were among those in attendance.
At the end of the march, the general secretaries of Nafaroa’s UGT and CCOO, Lorenzo Ríos and Josema Romeo, took to the stage to warn of the state of international conflict and the growth of the far right, already focusing on labor and calling for the need to guarantee fair wages, shorten working hours and combat accidents.
“Social justice does not understand borders”
Rios therefore stressed that the far right is an “enemy of the working class” because it promotes hatred, truncates rights and “singles out people who are different.” In the face of this, he believed that “social justice does not understand borders” and reaffirmed UGT’s commitment to equality and diversity and support for the regularization of migrants. It emphasizes the need to move towards true equality between men and women and denounces pay disparity and insecurity.
However, the UGT Navarra leader highlighted the progress achieved in recent years, including increasing the minimum wage, reducing temporary employment and strengthening the pension system, which he said was thanks to collective bargaining and social dialogue.
Recalling that at least 14 people died in industrial accidents in Herial last year, the city of Rios is also focusing on industrial accidents, calling for amendments to the Industrial Accident Prevention Law to prevent new deaths.
Area of algorithms
Meanwhile, Josema Romeo, General Secretary of CCOO Navarra, appealed for a “humanization of the story” in the face of the “dehumanization of ultra-speech” spread through social networks and the media with the aim of dividing society and weakening the trade union struggle, which he denounces.
In his speech, Romeo warned that “those who control the algorithms” are “instilling hatred in society” and that those who are different are culpable, and insisted on the right to truthful information and “reasoned discussion over the noise.”
Romeo has rejected war, genocide, and the “harshest aspects of capitalism” and championed the values of “liberty, equality, and fraternity” in democracy and peace. Similarly, it has denied the link between immigration and crime and defended the regularization of immigrants to prevent labor exploitation.
The group focuses on accident rates, commemorates victims of industrial accidents, and calls for further inspections and sanctions, as well as decent wages of at least 1,500 euros per month and an end to involuntary favoritism.
At Bilbo, from Gran Via
In Bilbo, a joint march began at 11:45 from Gran Via with the same motto, chanting slogans such as “Against fascism, the struggle for trade unions”, “Housing is a right, not a privilege”, “End industrial accidents”, “Let’s take to the streets to fight the general strike”, or “Gola, Gola, Gola, Rangireão Boroka”. Several banners opposing US President Donald Trump and the war with Iran were also seen.
In a statement to the media before leading the march, CCOO Euskadi general secretary Santi Martínez and UGT Euskadi president Chimi López said they were marching “side by side” to show that “class unionism is more effective and clear than ever in Basque society.”
Martinez explained that May Day goes beyond “a view of borders on the international stage” and is “a clear expression of ‘no to war’.” They cited industrial accidents as one of the reasons for their May Day mobilization, following a “further blow” this Thursday following the death of a 61-year-old registered transporter in Zamudio in an industrial accident.
Similarly, they denounce the loss of purchasing power of the working class and therefore demand that employers set a minimum wage of €1,500 CAV by agreement.
Mr Martinez called for the government to “face up to the housing crisis” in the face of a “housing emergency” and defended it by saying: “Stop talking about milkmaids and establish a serious pay policy.”
Mayday in images
1,500 Euroco Gazieneko Soldaren Ardarikapena, Gasteizen. (Aitor Calasatore | FOKU)
Laben Mobilizazioa, Billbon. (Oscar Matosin Edesa | FOKU)
Mixel Lacunza Erako Idazukari Nagusia, Bilboko Ekitardian. (Oscar Matosin Edesa | FOKU)
Garbiñe Aranburu LABeko koordinatzaile orokorra, Donostiako Mobilizazioren bukaeran. (Gorka Rubio | FOKU)
Langileen Escuvidine Aldeco Kartera, Gasteizen. (Aitor Calasatore | FOKU)
Bionaco Manifestazio Arenbrua, ZUP Auzoan. (Guillaume Fauveau)
CCOO and UGTren Mobilizazior, Gasteizen. (Aitor Calasatore | FOKU)
Erresidentzietako langileak eta Bizkaiko garbikuntzakoak, Billbon. (Oscar Matosin Edesa | FOKU)
CGT-LKN, CNT, ESK, Solidari eta Steilasen Mobilizazioa, Irunian. (Iñigo Uriz | FOKU)
Ernai, Donostian. (Gorka Rubio | FOKU)
Bionaco Manifestazio Alen Bucaera, Gascoien Prazan. (Guillaume Fauveau)
Expression of ELAren, Bilboko Kale Nagusian. (Oscar Matosin Edesa | FOKU)
IU and PCEren Pankarta, Gasteizen, CCOO and UGTren mobilization. (Aitor Calasatore | FOKU)
EHKSk jende ugari bildu du Iruñean. (Iñigo Uriz | FOKU)
Laben Irneko mobilization. (Iñigo Uriz | FOKU)
ELAk Iruñean egin duen symptoms. (Iñigo Uriz | FOKU)
Gasteizen LABek increases mobility. (Aitor Calasatore | FOKU)
Selfie Bat, Nora Eze. (Oscar Matosin Edesa | FOKU)
Cimade elkarteko ordezkariak, bionan. (Guillaume Fauveau)
“Borokaku dena Garbitzen du”, Gasteizen. (Aitor Calasatore | FOKU)
Eskolak kartzela ematen duela salatu dute Baionan. (Guillaume Fauveau)
Jardun koordinadorako hiru kide Suprefeturan kateatu dira, Baionan. (garden)
Poliziak deniera elagiteko gasa jati di giarduneko kidin atoxiloketalen auruka protestu dutenay bionan. (Asuke Antrakundea)
LABen Mobilizazioa, Donostiako Alde Zaharretik. (Gorka Rubio | FOKU)
Ardarikapena Bionan. (Guillaume Fauveau)
Laben Mobilizazio Allen Bucaera of Billbon. (Oscar Matosin Edesa | FOKU)
LABen Donostiako Mobilizazioa Trinitate square bukatu da. (Gorka Rubio | FOKU)
