After several meetings, talks for the labor agreement in the footwear sector are not making significant progress. Trade unions UGT and CCOO accuse employers of "delaying and evading" negotiations, while the Spanish Footwear Industry Federation (Fice) urges addressing the situation with "realism" to protect employment and purchasing power.
“"We approach this negotiation with responsibility at a particularly delicate time for the sector. Companies are fully aware of the concern among workers about the evolution of the cost of living and the pressure this causes on family economies."
The employers' association warns that the current context is characterized by a decline in activity in many companies, strong international competition, and difficulty in passing on costs to the market. Therefore, they call for realistic proposals that can be sustained over time and are viable for the entire sector, without being diluted by indirect costs.
For their part, the unions denounce that the employers' association avoids discussing fundamental issues for workers, such as wages and working hours. According to CCOO Industria and UGT Fica, they have only opened up to "issues of little impact for staff, protocols and regulatory adaptations, and some specific aspects of permits or leave of absence".
“"What really matters to workers is not being addressed, that is, wages and working hours. That is not negotiating, it is delaying."
The unions demand a concrete proposal for wage increases and reduced working hours to advance negotiations. They warn that, otherwise, union representation will be forced to "rethink its actions," as sector employees "deserve answers, not evasions".
