Let's start by talking about cinema and then we'll get to books. The year 1948 was a busy one in Hollywood: it was the year of the Paramount Decree, which regulated the production-distribution-exhibition chain for decades and dismantled the studio system in the film industry. The studio system was the business model developed by the major studios, known as majors –that is, Warner, Paramount, Universal, etc.–. The fact is that in 1948 this decree arrived as a result of a case against Paramount that was settled in the Supreme Court of the United States. The decree established, among other things, that producers of a film could also distribute it themselves, but they could not own the theaters where it would be shown. We could say that it decreed a kind of separation of powers in the field of cinema. Why? Because what they were doing –vertical integration– was a monopolistic practice that limited and stifled independent cinema. What happened when the antitrust ban came into effect? The number of theaters showing independent films grew, and independent production companies that worked without interference from major studios proliferated (other things too: the relaxation of the Hays self-censorship code, for example). In short, the decree was the beginning of the end of the studio system, the end of the system that put control and power in the hands of the strong, in short, lifelong bully politics. The decree was in effect until 2020 (!), although Disney had already disregarded it before: with streaming platforms, everything has become a bit complicated (Netflix is not a movie theater, but it is a distribution channel, etc.). Once repealed, studios can not only buy movie theaters but it is also legal again what is known as block booking, which is: if you want to have the good movie, you also have to take a couple of duds, which, at least when I studied audiovisual, was the norm in television channels when buying movies "in packages". The result of this practice is evident: the quality of the content is lowered; well, we already know that quality is not usually the objective of big cultural businesses.The dangers of excessive concentration

But this is Llegim and we have to talk about books, right? Well, the fact is that the other day I went into an Abacus store and I was a little horrified. The special display areas (that is, those that are most visible and, therefore, most coveted: the ends of tables, wall displays, etc.) were mostly books from the Abacus Futur group. This, which perhaps should make me happy because I have published a micro-essay with them, made me rather sad, and the Paramount Decree immediately came to mind. Abacus has 44 stores (according to AI: I couldn't find it on their website), and yes, I know, Planeta also has its network of bookstores (La Casa del Llibre, with 75 bookstores) and Anagrama (La Central, only 5). Besides, Planeta and Penguin Random House (PRH) have their own distributor. Planeta's case goes a step further in vertical integration, as it also owns several media outlets. But it seems that in this country nobody really cares about excessive concentration as long as the money flows. The fact is that if you alone produce and distribute and sell and advertise books, perhaps you create unfavorable conditions for independent production. Let's return to the United States for a moment. Five years ago there was an uproar because Penguin Random House threatened to buy Simon & Schuster, one of its great rivals, and the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit: they feared that the PRH conglomerate, if it went ahead with the acquisition, would have undue influence on the books published in the U.S. and on writers' compensation. Even Stephen King went to testify, and said: “I’m here because I think concentration is bad for competition.” The acquisition was prohibited because the judge considered that the sale would substantially harm competition. Where does free trade end? Where do monopolistic practices begin? All in all, it also makes me think of the associations of writers and translators that for years have been refraining from publishing recommended fees for fear of getting into trouble (after a notorious case with the association of tourist guides). Does what competition laws establish end up constraining (harming?) more the individuals who work alone and have no bargaining power against large groups than the business monsters that monopolize the market?

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Mercadona is distributing a total of €780 million to its 112,000 employees this Wednesday as variable compensation. In total, across various initiatives, including improved working hours (with an impact of approximately €100 million) and the planned salary increase (another €125 million), the company has allocated over €1 billion to its workforce, according to a press release. The compensation paid to employees this Wednesday consists of two bonuses. One is for employees with less than four years of service, and the other is three months' salary for those with more than four years of service, representing 70% of the workforce. These employees received a net amount of €7,250 this Wednesday (€5,400 in variable compensation plus their regular monthly salary). The company, chaired by Juan Roig, points out that it has also implemented a salary increase to compensate for the rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 2.9% in Spain and 2.2% in Portugal, where it also has stores; this represents an investment of €125 million per year. Furthermore, in December, working hours were improved by extending the vacation period by one week, from 30 to 37 days. This measure, in effect since the beginning of the current fiscal year in both Spain and Portugal, "represents a significant improvement in working hours for employees and has an annual cost of €100 million," according to the company. All these initiatives total more than €1 billion for the company. Mercadona asserts that it "is committed to employee satisfaction" and that thanks to these policies, it has achieved a projected increase in workforce productivity by 2025.

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This year, Transgourmet Ibérica has completed the transformation process the company began in 2019 with the aim of modernizing and consolidating its food distribution business model, both in the hospitality sector and in franchised convenience supermarkets. This evolution of the sector has coincided with a historic milestone: the celebration of its centenary. Throughout the year, the company has combined significant strategic initiatives with a commemorative program, highlighting its century-long history. During this year, Transgourmet Ibérica has invested €85 million, including the acquisitions of Dispuig and Moyà Saus and the creation of Nuditrans in partnership with Nudisco. With these operations, the company has expanded its reach into three key regions: Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and the Valencian Community.

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On Sunday, June 15, Transgourmet Ibérica brought together more than 500 people at the iconic Tarraco Arena in Tarragona to commemorate its 100th anniversary. The event brought together representatives of institutions and business organizations, industry figures, clients, suppliers, and employees from the regions of Tarragona and Terres de l'Ebre, southern Barcelona, ​​​​Lleida, and the Valencian Community to celebrate this historic milestone, highlighting the company's current leadership position in wholesale food distribution.

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This morning there has been covert strike on commuter trainsThe trains stopped at the stations for a long time, they arrived late... Having to hear you say that the transfer is going very well because workers' rights have been protected is a mockery of users, who also have a right, and no less important one, to mobility. President Isla: It's been twenty years since Zapatero announced the transfer of the Cercanías (Commuter Trains), and you're about to become another president on the list of those who watch the trains go by without being able to do anything. They're making fun of us, and this includes you too.

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The three consecutive days of mobilizations by Glovo delivery riders have borne fruit: according to Unioin CCOO, the home delivery platform has informed its riders that it will make changes to the application after the protests. It has not advanced more details, saying only that they will be made public on Friday. Meanwhile, according to the union, dissatisfied workers have organised to boycott the system they complain about, and do not rule out an indefinite strike if they do not agree with the changes presented by the company.

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