The textile trade employers’ association proposes new professional categories and annual increases of 3% to reactivate the negotiation for a national agreement

Draft movement by the Spanish Textile Retail Association (ARTE)which represents the textile trade at the national level and which counts among its associates giants such as Inditex, Mango or Tedam (Springfield, Cortefiel, Pedro del Hierro…), has put on the table this Wednesday a new proposal to reactivate the negotiation with the unions of the 1st Collective Agreement of large textile retail chains. ARTE has proposed the creation of different professional categories depending on the responsibilities assumed. They would range from 17,800 euros to 24,344 euros annually, guaranteeing 3% annual increases during the 3 years of validity of the future agreement. From this business association they have pointed out that the minimum salary range of the sales groupwhich is the most representative in Spain, is 18,800 euros per year. This is 13% more than the Minimum Wage set for this year.

Next meeting on December 2

In ARTE they defend that their proposal will improve working conditions for more than 100,000 workers of the sector, as well as 80% of the current agreements. Both parties will meet again on December 2, as this media has learned, so that the unions can make known their official reaction and contributions to the document presented today. With this proposal, the Association puts an end to a pause of several months in talks with the unions, which date back to last April, due to the conflict between FETICO and UGT. Within ARTE there are giants of the textile trade in Spain such as Inditex (ZARA, Pull &Bear, Bershka…), Bimba and Lola, Mango, Tendam (Cortefiel, Pedro del Hierro…), Primark AWWG (Pepe Jeans Londo, Hackett…), Punt Roma, Parfois, Primark, H&M Iberia, Hugo Boss and Uniqloamong others.

For their part, from unions such as FETICOhave recognized the progress included in the draft presented by the employers’ association of the textile majors. The general secretary of Fetico, Antonio Pérez, has acknowledged that “there are still important nuances and detailsbut we could estimate that there is closeness in 80% of the framework” although they still have “20% left to negotiate in many aspects of the collective agreement itself.” However, the first sensations are positive since for Pérez “encompasses 80% of FETICO’s initial proposals” and they emphasize that the working day is reduced by 1,750 hours “which had not been achieved through social dialogue or with the famous reduction in working hours.” They have also considered “very interesting” the proposal of salary increases of 3% annually during the 3 years of validity of the agreement; as well as the inclusion of compensation for working holidays and Sundays. Something not contemplated in many provincial agreements. Along with the obligation not to be active more than 50% of Sundays and holidays.

Minimum contracts of 24 hours per week

The ARTE proposal also contemplates guarantee minimum hiring of 24 hours per week for part-time workers and six months for discontinuous permanent workers. ARTE has also proposed improvements in the rest regime and, as a general rule, they have proposed that breaks take place two days a week, of which at least two weekends a year will coincide with Saturday and Sunday even though the establishments are open. In addition, this business association has proposed including compensation for working on Sundays and holidayswhich at the end of the 3 years of validity of the future agreement should amount to 55 and 80 euros, respectively. A point that does not exist in many provincial agreements, they point out.

From ARTE they have defended that their proposals will mean job improvements for workers. more than 100,000 workers in the sectoras well as in 80% of current agreements. In addition, they have added, it guarantees that no one suffers a reduction in their working conditions in the event that they are in a more positive situation. Along these lines, they have reiterated their commitment to textile workers and appealed “to the common will of all social agents to achieve the milestone of signing the first collective agreement of large textile retail chains”.