A feminist from Girona to lead the CCOO in Catalonia
The union's congress elects Belén López as its new general secretary, replacing Javier Pacheco.
BarcelonaBelén López (Les Masies de Voltregà, 1976) became the first woman to lead the CCOO (Workers' Union) in Catalonia this Thursday. She will replace Javier Pacheco—after eight years in office—at the helm of the country's largest union, with nearly 147,000 members. The delegates gathered this week at the organization's congress selected her candidate, the only one running, with 563 votes in favor and 16 blank votes. The support was 98.12%.
López grew up in the La Farga La Cámara de las Masías textile colony in Voltregà (Osona), but she has made a career in the union in the Girona region branch of the CCOO. She joined the union in 2002, almost a quarter of a century ago, and champions "class and national unionism as a key tool for advancing a more just society." With a degree in political science and administration, she has also worked as a vocational training teacher at a public school in Salt.
As UGT leader in Catalonia, Camil Ros, pointed out during the opening of the conference, although in recent weeks the focus has been on her gender, López will also be the first general secretary of the CCOO (Working Council of Workers) in Catalonia not born in Barcelona. The two will form a new union duo with a Girona accent. "There is intelligent union life outside the AMB," Ros claimed on Wednesday.
López she highlights herself in her X profile She is a mother of a large family: she has three children and is separated. She has also been involved in the feminist movement in the Girona region and contributed to the creation of the Girona Feminist Platform. Her mandate will be marked by the implementation of new agreements with the Spanish government, such as the reduction of the working week to 37.5 hours, but also by the increasingly evident involvement of unions in defending the right to decent housing. "Tough and hardworking," is how a Girona businessman who has worked there on several occasions describes her.
New national executive
López's election is part of a renewal of a large part of the national executive of CCOO in Catalonia, which will add as new members Josep Maria Romero Velarde (who will be the union's secretary of organization and number two), Maribel Ayné Domingo (international and cooperation), Cristina Rodríguez Vila (just transitions and territory), Saida Ehliluch) and Alberto Jurado de la Santa (national coordination of Youth Action). Some leaders from the previous leadership continue, such as Michela Albarello (institutional relations, union training, and social and solidarity economy), Enrique Rodríguez Ruiz (now head of the area of union action and care for people), Liliana Reyes Hernández (Barcelonés and migrations), Manuel Carlos Fages Marta (policies) and Álvaro Muñoz García (resources and finances).
During the session this Thursday, the general balance report that closes the last term of the outgoing general secretary, Javier Pacheco, was also approved. It was passed with a total of 597 votes in favor and 5 abstentions, representing 99.2% support. "You will be the first woman to participate at the forefront of the Catalan labor movement, but you don't have to be afraid. You know the consequences of being a woman at the forefront of the social, labor, and political movements, and you will know how to do it," Pacheco assured in her last speech before the congress before the new leader was proclaimed yesterday.
