normative diversity and relationships with ups and downs between social agents
Two sectors as different as the countryside and textile retail, the first dominated by SMEs and micro-SMEs, the second dominated by large multinationals such as Inditex, Mango, Primark or Tendam (Women’secret, Sprinfield, Cortefiel, Pedro del Hierro…), have in common that they both pursue sign their first labor agreement at the national level, although in the case of the fashion giants and their thousands of employees the agreement seems more feasible in the short term. Both have a high normative diversity from the point of view of working conditions with dozens of company or provincial agreements (in the case of agriculture and livestock there are around 60 at the provincial level, for example). To which is added a dialogue between social agents (especially unions) that, on some occasions, has not been as fluid as the moment required.
The future state farm agreement It has been slowed down for several years, with specific progress and periodic dialogue that will have a new chapter tomorrow, Thursday. The sector sources consulted point out the absence of news in this area and point to the complexity of an activity, that of agriculture and livestock, with problems as diverse as the figure of discontinuous fixedthe management of contingents foreign temporary workersadaptation to the increasingly frequent heat waves, the generational change and the mechanizationwhich is reducing the workforce required by our farms and farms.
“We haven’t made progress for 2 or 3 years”
From the Industry Workers Commissions, its head of the Agricultural Sector Vicente Jiménez Sánchez recognizes that it is “complicated” to reach an agreement and calculates that the proposal to have a national agreement is “15 years ago and we haven’t moved forward for 2 or 3 years.” In his opinion, this type of agreement would help “labor homogenization” and would avoid disparities in aspects such as accommodation, protocols against heat waves (“in territories in the north of Spain they do not exist, for example,” says the representative of Comisiones Obreas), annual working hours “that can move between 1826 and 1752 hours” depending on the province in which the temporary worker works. For example, Jiménez explains, that without leaving Castilla-La Mancha in Toledo it is 1,784 hours while in Cuenca it is 1,752.
Another obvious case, the representative of the Workers’ Commissions believes that “institutional momentum is needed” to establish “a serious roadmap that leads to an agreement.” In statements to ’20 Minutos’, he is committed to mediation by the Administration and, specifically, points to the Ministry of Agriculture as the institution that could grease the negotiations. He even appears open “to taking this through the Interconfederal Mediation and Arbitration Service (SIMA)”. Jiménez trusts in the “good will of the farmers” although he regrets that this issue has been shelved.
In the textile trade, is the agreement closer?
Regarding the future national agreement for large chains of the ‘I State Agreement of Large Textile Trade Chains’, the path seems to be clearing, although the next meeting on December 2 seems decisive. The negotiation was reactivated yesterday after presenting a new proposal Spanish Textile Retail Association (ARTE)which brings together giants such as Inditex, Mango, Tendam (Springfiel, Cortefiel…), Primark or Uniqlo. According to this media, the ARTE document contemplates the creation of 6 professional categories depending on the responsibilities assumed. The proposed range would range from 17,800 euros to 24,344 euros per year by 2026. Similarly, the sector’s employers guaranteed annual salary increases of 3% during the 3 years of validity of the agreement: 2026, 2027 and 2028. In addition, among other aspects, the obligation to work only 50% of authorized opening Sundays was introduced, a progressive reduction of the working day (from 1770 to 1750 hours)as well as compensation for working on holidays and Sundays of 80 euros and 55 euros, respectively.
From the Workers’ Commissions (CCOO) they have recalled that the last meeting with ARTE took place last May 7 and that, yesterday, “has presented a proposal agreed upon by all the companies included in the employers’ association.” From this union they confirm that the association that brings together the main textile trade chains expresses the intention “to accelerate the negotiation, since the validity they propose is from 2026 to 2028.” A document that, in his opinion, “maintains much of what has already been stated at the last meeting with modifications on some issues.” This union is grateful that there is already “a concrete proposal of the issues” on the table and recognizes that there has been “some progress” although they warn that “We consider that it is still insufficient to be able to reach an agreement.” The meeting on December 2 will issue a ruling.
“Legal security” for 120,000 people
For the general secretary of Fetico, Antonio Pérez, the possibility of closing the ‘I State Agreement of Large Textile Trade Chains’ at the national level would contribute “a framework of legal security for 120,000 people directly, and in the medium and long term it will provide a salary increase and an improvement in conditions for nearly 200,000 people in the sector.” This union highlights that “it is much better to have a broad collective agreement framework that with a great effort a lot is achieved and very quickly, rather than having the framework fragmented and having to make many small or large efforts.” Pérez also values ”very positively” the availability to dialogue of the majority Workers’ Commissions and UGT. In addition, he believes with the ARTE movement The negotiation is gaining “the necessary speed” so that an agreement can be signed soon. However, he warns that “20% remains to be negotiated.”
