Unai Sordo faces his final term at the CCOO demanding zero tolerance for corruption: "Whoever it affects"

MadridThe political earthquake unleashed by the Civil Guard report on the so-called Cerdán case, which addresses the alleged corruption scandal involving the two former general secretaries of the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party), José Luis Ábalos and Santos Cerdán, as well as former advisor to the prime minister, Koldo García, did not go unnoticed at the 13th congress of Unai Sordo, who has been re-elected general secretary for another four years. "Spain needs a historic commitment to the progress and deepening of democracy, which requires a relentless fight against corruption, in all its forms, regardless of who it affects," Sordo said this Saturday, a few minutes after beginning his speech at the union conclave. Shortly before, the Minister of Labor and prominent figure of Sumar, Yolanda Díaz, had spoken, not only referring to the issue but also raising her voice against the Socialists.

In fact, the president of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez, was scheduled to kick off the union congress on Thursday the 19th, but the crisis over the Cerdán case had already left the PSOE, and consequently the Spanish government, immersed in bewildermentThat was the first day Sánchez emptied his public agenda, something that continues this Saturday. Sordo used his speech to call for "clarity and transparency" in all corruption cases, both current and those under investigation. "We must contain a scourge that is not only the undesirable behavior of a few individuals, but has been part of the Spanish landscape for decades," lamented the CCOO general secretary, who in addition to attacking political officials has also attacked the "economic powers."

The weakness of the Spanish executive, as well as the sense of uncertainty, is also affecting the unions, which in recent years have found in Pedro Sánchez's government a way to make progress on issues such as the minimum interprofessional wage, improved pensions, and reversing some of the measures implemented by the Popular Party governments.

Four years of unknowns

Unai Sordo's reelection as General Secretary of the CCOO for another four years marks the beginning of his third and final term. "We face a time that will not be easy. There are many unknowns about what the world will be like in four years, about what Spain will be like," he reflected. His candidacy was the only one running in the union elections and obtained 96.1% of the vote, with a total of 692 votes in favor and 28 blank votes.

In this new phase, he will be accompanied by a confederal executive committee made up of a total of 13 people, including Javier Pacheco. who in April ended his mandate after eight years as general secretary of CCOO in CataloniaPacheco's name is looming large as the future general secretary of the CCOO (Working Workers' Union) in Spain.

As challenges for the next four years, the union recognizes the need to adapt to new labor realities and expand unionization in sectors where it is still scarce. In the short term, the CCOO, but also the UGT (Union of Workers' Unions), are maintaining their push to unblock the reduction of the working week to 37.5 hours.