A coordinated strike announced by the CGT union affected two Inditex brands, Zara including Lefties and Kiddy’s Class, and Pull&Bear, timed at the outset of the textile retailer’s sales season. Organisers reported strong participation in physical stores as the walkout unfolded. The action highlights tensions over wages and working conditions as the company navigates a period of price pressure and inflation. The organizers claim the strike drew substantial turnout, signaling a notable level of employee concern across the group.
This morning, workers gathered on Calle Preciados in Madrid, a major shopping artery, drawing crowds that extended to several hundred participants, according to an appeal witnessed by EFE and confirmed by a CGT spokesperson. Protests were also reported in other major Spanish cities, including Seville, Barcelona, and Logroño, where employees voiced similar demands for fair pay and safer or more predictable scheduling.
CGT reported that the strike contributed to the temporary closure of about eight stores in Madrid, underscoring the impact of collective action at peak sales times. The union framed the stoppage as a response to alleged violations of workers’ rights, including changes to shift patterns that they say erode compensation and predictability. In this context, CGT signaled its intention to file formal complaints against the group to safeguard labor standards.
Salary Increase Negotiations and Current Terms
CGT, a smaller presence within Inditex that operates across many autonomous communities and provinces, highlighted a recent wage agreement negotiated with social representatives in A Coruña. The agreement, reached on December 22, sets out new salary bonuses for Inditex store staff, a workforce estimated between 1,500 and 1,600 people in the region. The package includes a monthly increase in salary bonuses: 322 euros in the first year, 362 euros in the second year, and 382 euros in the third year. Over these terms, the annual value of the increase translates to roughly 5,700 euros per employee.
The CGT also pressed for additional improvements, including a rise of 250 euros per month for workers with less than 15 hours of daily shifts, parity in Sunday pay with holidays, and compensation adjustments for benefits received by logistics, factories, and power units within the group. This broader set of demands reflects a push for more equitable compensation across varying work schedules and site responsibilities.
In contrast, the majority unions at Inditex, CCOO and UGT, voiced disagreement with CGT’s call for these specific adjustments, and they maintain broad support among the workforce, claiming a support level above 90 percent. The divergence among unions underscores a complex negotiation landscape as the company contemplates inflationary pressures and the need to retain a stable, motivated workforce during critical retail periods.
During the same week, both sides indicated intentions to resume formal wage discussions with Inditex, planning to begin negotiations on January 25. The aim is to address a range of wage measures intended to offset inflation’s impact on employees’ earnings, while balancing the company’s financial constraints and competitive position in the market. This upcoming dialogue is positioned as a pivotal moment for labor relations within the Inditex network, potentially shaping compensation policies for the coming year.