Alicante’s leading unions, CC OO and UGT, have been highlighted as key players in the regional dynamic. In the Valencia region, both unions are pressing for a more equitable distribution of general state budgets that affect the province. They continue to value the idea of participating in a manifesto, even as relations with local business groups remain strained due to ongoing blockades that hinder many bilateral agreements. The mobilizations supported by the CEV, the Chamber of Commerce and Ineca underscore their responsibility to remind public and private actors about funding gaps and the consequences for the local economy.
Budgets that do not reflect the province’s location and significance are seen as inadequate to contribute to GDP or to population needs. A hopeful note is struck that changes may come as the process unfolds. Yaissel Sanchez, general secretary of UGT in l’Alacantí and the Navy, stated that formal participation in mobilizations would depend on CEV’s forthcoming meeting. She emphasized that the union is already aligned with calls for fair funding for the Valencian Community and believes the current understanding could translate into practical support, while acknowledging the discomfort caused by employers asking for union backing at a moment when a collective bargaining agreement is not yet achieved.
Francis Garcia, the CC OO secretary general for l’Alacantí i les Marines, echoed similar concerns. He argued that budgets must be corrected because they are seen as a historical discrimination against the region. He affirmed that the unions would participate in all forums where a decisive resolution to this situation is demanded, provided the outreach remains non-political and focused on fair treatment rather than scoring points against the government.
Moreover, Garcia criticized the fact that business leaders did not exhibit the same urgency when other crises occurred under different administrations. The dialogue extended beyond general expectations to address specific local industries blocked at the provincial level, such as footwear, where the livelihoods of thousands of workers hinge on sustained investment and balanced policies.
In any case, the CC OO leader clarified that joint action would be pursued with a view to presenting a unified claim. The collaboration with regional funding advocates involved several coordinated calls between unions and employers, signaling a shared objective to secure a fair funding framework for the region. This approach aims to stabilize local employment and ensure that regional projects receive the support needed to drive growth, investment, and opportunity for Alicante and its surrounding areas.