Reminder: the strike is a right

BarcelonaAfter almost half a century of life, it seems necessary to remind everyone: the strike is a right recognized by the Spanish Constitution. Specifically, in section two of article 28, the section in which the right to unionization and the existence of trade unions is also recognized. It seems unbelievable, but it feels like there are those who do not remember it. Or perhaps it is that, in the event of winning the elections, they intend to reduce, cut back, or even suppress these rights?

It is good to remind leaders like the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, and other members of her choir, when they refer to unions as “trash” or “mafia.” With criticism before strikes and the magnification of conflicts and disturbances that occur at the end of peaceful demonstrations and which are foreign to them, the aim is to discredit rights that we took for granted. That is what happened with this last general strike, driven, moreover, by an economic and social problem like housing, which affects a large part of the population. Even many of those who vote for them. The High Court of Justice of Madrid stopped their intention to dilute the protest and lowered the minimum services they had established, and equated them with those of the 2012 general strike, under the government of Mariano Rajoy (PP).

We can discuss whether unions receive little, a lot, or too much subsidy, as business associations also receive, by the way; but insulting them does not seem to be the best path in a democratic European country. In any case, I have never heard union leaders refer to one party or the other in similar terms.

If what the PP and Vox want is to put an end to unions and the right to strike, among others, let them say so, let them not keep it for after the elections. Do they prefer a model like that of the United States, like that of Jimmy Hoffa's America in the 50s and 60s, instead of the European one, based on institutionalized social dialogue? Do they like the restriction of the right to strike and free dismissal more than a framework of greater worker protection?

We know that most political forces do not clarify much during election campaigns what they want to do. And, in any case, what they will do will depend on the results and the support they need. If not, ask Pedro Sánchez. But it is time for them to be more transparent and stop the outbursts.