Representatives from the Spanish unions CC OO and UGT gathered at the Valencia headquarters of the Comunitat Valenciana Confederación Empresarial (CEV) in Alicante on a Friday to demand wage improvements for workers facing rising living costs. The protest emerged as part of a national call from the unions, framed under the slogan Salary or Conflict, aimed at pressing for tangible gains in workers’ pay amid high inflation and ongoing economic strain.
The demonstration took place alongside the celebration of Eid al-Adha, a time when many workers and families are particularly attentive to financial pressures. Activists framed this event as a moment to highlight the broader consequences of inflation and the need for fair compensation as part of a just and stable social order. The organizers underscored that rising prices stretch household budgets and erode purchasing power, affecting the daily lives of working people and their ability to meet essential needs.
Yaissel Sánchez, serving as the general secretary for UGT in the l’Alacantí-Les Marines region, urged the CEOE to resume social dialogue. He emphasized the importance of reopening sectoral negotiations and removing obstacles that hinder agreements on pay scales. Sánchez pointed to the fact that workers deserve a wage that reflects the cost of living, noting that the decrease in purchasing power is already significant, with estimates suggesting a reduction of around 8%. He called on employers to participate in constructive bargaining that recognizes price increases and safeguards workers’ financial security.
Paco García, the CC OO secretary for the same border region, stressed the urgency of considering inflation’s impact on collective bargaining. He argued that shared responsibility from employers is essential to distribute the burden fairly and ensure that wage increases keep pace with inflation. García urged business leaders to approach negotiations with a mindset focused on stability and mutual gains, arguing that fair wage adjustments are a prerequisite for sustained economic growth and social harmony. The message from his side framed the negotiation as a collaborative effort to protect worker welfare without compromising the competitiveness of companies.
Observers noted that the demonstration aligned with broader national labor movements seeking to secure more robust wage growth, particularly in sectors experiencing the sharpest price increases. The unions highlighted that if wage gains do not match inflation, households will continue to face financial stress, which can have ripple effects on consumption, investment, and social cohesion. By coordinating public demonstrations with calls for renewed dialogue, organizers aimed to maintain pressure on policymakers and business leaders to adopt concrete measures that support working families while maintaining a viable business climate.
Event participants described the action as part of a strategic effort to elevate the discussion beyond slogans, focusing on the practical mechanisms through which wages can rise in step with living costs. They argued that effective bargaining should involve clear benchmarks, transparent criteria, and timely adjustments that respond to inflationary trends. The discourse also touched on broader issues such as job security, wages in special sectors, and the potential role of government policy in facilitating fair wage settlements. In this framing, the protests function as a catalyst for a more inclusive dialogue about wages, productivity, and investment in social protections that benefit workers across industries.
Supporters of the march stressed that any agreement should incorporate realistic timelines and measurable outcomes, ensuring that wage increases translate into real improvements for workers rather than symbolic gestures. They maintained that social dialogue remains the most viable route to achieving durable solutions, provided it is conducted in good faith, with accountability from all parties involved. The advocates contended that a rise in purchasing power should accompany price movements, enabling households to maintain a standard of living that supports families, communities, and local economies.
Overall, the demonstration underscored a shared conviction among participating unions that responsible leadership in wage negotiations requires balancing worker needs with the realities faced by employers. The event’s participants encouraged ongoing collaboration, constructive negotiation, and a willingness to adapt to evolving economic conditions. In doing so, they signaled a commitment to pursuing fair, sustainable wage growth—seeking a stable framework in which labor costs reflect inflation while businesses continue to invest, hire, and contribute to regional economic health. This approach, they argued, would bolster confidence for workers and employers alike and help sustain a more resilient economy in the face of ongoing challenges, including inflationary pressures and social, economic, and environmental disruptions. (Citation: CC OO and UGT statements at the Valencia event.)