Negotiations in the national shoe industry wage talks show persistent tension as unions challenge the latest employer proposal. A one-day strike was officially called for 1 December, with 16,500 workers from the Alicante region ordered to participate. The unions CC OO and UGT justify the mobilization by defending workers’ purchasing power, while employers label the move as inconsistent with the process and its goals.
Rising friction marks the footwear sector’s collective bargaining, where salary increases stand as the central dispute. Although the framework is national, Alicante stands out due to the sector’s heavy presence there, particularly in Elche, Elda, and Petrer. This regional weight has led to heightened attention and a visible expression of discontent, including a gathering near the Valencian Footwear Entrepreneurs Association headquarters in late October. The unions stress that any wage agreement should preserve real income, while employers stress the need for moderation in order to safeguard competitiveness across the industry.
CC OO and UGT have insisted on a wage review clause tied to CPI changes, ensuring that workers do not lose purchasing power. They also propose enhancements such as shortening the working day to twelve hours, extending temporary incapacity benefits from the fourth month, increasing the distance bonus, and converting some temporary contracts to more stable arrangements.
Initial positions were far apart. However, at the latest meeting, the Spanish Federation of the Footwear Industries (FICE) and the Spanish Association of Component and Machinery Companies (AEC) for Footwear and Leather Products proposed convergence on eight incremental steps starting January 2023, with a four-year commitment to adjust to future inflation. A CPI revision capped at 2.5% would imply increases ranging from approximately 12.5% to 15%, depending on inflation trends. The sticking point remains the CPI ceiling, which the unions resist accepting.
Mediation
As talks approached a critical phase, both sides remained highly tense and closed the session at the Confederation Service for Mediation and Arbitration (SIMA) without an agreement, prompting a one-day strike for the following Thursday. Ismael Senent, general secretary of UGT in La Muntanya, Vinalopó and Vega Baja, criticized business leaders for stalling the talks and warned that workers should not bear the costs of the crisis again. He pointed out that wage levels in the industry are already low and that inflation has eroded purchasing power further.
Miguel Ángel Cerdán, who leads CC OO’s negotiation team for the Vinalopó and Vega Baja area, echoed the sentiment, saying mediation offered a final chance to reach a deal but progress remained blocked. He noted that several years have passed without a salary increase and stressed that workers should not be left in poverty as a result of inaction.
Unions press on while employers maintain some openness
José María Escrigas, a spokesperson for Avecal, the employers’ side in negotiation and components, acknowledged the right of unions to strike but questioned the consistency of the action. He emphasized that the negotiation space remains open and expressed a willingness to continue dialogue until an agreement benefits all parties. He also stated that the current proposal is solid and that ongoing negotiations are essential to a favorable outcome.
The unions indicated they would conduct further meetings in the coming days to mobilize workers and clearly explain their points of disagreement, aiming to secure a successful strike. Should there be insufficient progress, additional mobilizations could be considered to push for a more favorable settlement.
Sources: union statements and industry representatives provide context on the persistent wage debate and the ongoing efforts to align interests across the national footwear sector. These contributions are summarized for reference and contextual understanding of the ongoing negotiation dynamics.”