While agreeing to raises far below inflation, Spanish union officials are discussing their fear that, as in France, they could not control strikes and protests if they called them.
Podemos, Spanish unions collaborate with big business to slash pensions
Spain’s Socialist Party (PSOE)-Podemos government, working with the Workers Commissions (CCOO) and General Union of Workers (UGT) unions have announced an onslaught on public pensions. This is one of several cuts to basic social rights that the government is planning at the European Union’s (EU) behest, in exchange for hundreds of billions of euros in COVID-19 pandemic bailout funds.
Podemos party leader Pablo Iglesias speaks as Spain s caretaker Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez looks on after signing an agreement at the parliament in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul White)