The Canadian legacy

At the last UGT confederal congress in Barcelona, ​​the memory of the 1919 strike, “La Canadiense”, was revived. What began as a protest against dismissals and wage cuts was transformed into a solidarity strike, demonstrating the strength and determination of the Catalan working class, and spreading to the rest of the State. Although the CNT was the main driving force, UGT played a crucial role in extending the conflict at a national level with support strikes, which finally put pressure on the Government to promulgate a decree that, among other things, established the eight-hour workday. This milestone was not a gesture of government benevolence, but the consequence of the power of organization and workers’ solidarity.

Today, after intense negotiations lasting almost a year, the Government and unions have reached a historic agreement to reduce the weekly working day to 37.5 hours without pay cuts, responding to the demands of the 21st century, where the balance between work and personal life and the well-being of workers have become fundamental pillars for more just and balanced societies.

Rising to the occasion: the 1919 strike, reduction of working hours and strengthening of the business fabric

Despite the reluctance of certain sectors, history and international experience support the idea that a shorter working week not only improves quality of life, but also boosts productivity and efficiency. Countries such as France and Denmark, with working weeks of less than 40 hours, have combined the reduction of working hours with high economic performance. In Spain, the strengthening of collective bargaining and the expansion of rights, far from weakening growth, have contributed to a solid and resilient economy, benefiting workers and employers.

Various studies support the positive impact of shorter working hours. In Navarra, where the average working day is already 37.5 hours and wages are higher than the national average, there is robust economic growth, low unemployment rates and outstanding productivity compared to other European regions, refuting the argument that shorter working hours are detrimental to specific sectors or competitiveness in general. In parallel, numerous sectoral agreements in Spain, such as the one for general trade, establish working hours between 1,775 and 1,800 hours per year. A recent study by UGT based on almost 250 provincial agreements (where more than 31% agree to working hours of less than 37.5 hours per week) demonstrates the viability and benefits of this measure.

Next Tuesday, March 4, we will gather at the historic facilities of “La Canadiense” to pay tribute to those who fought for labor dignity more than a century ago, making an urgent call to the parties. The approval in Congress to reduce the working day will not only honor that legacy, but will also lay the foundations for a more equitable and prosperous society. It is time for the parties to demonstrate their commitment to the well-being of citizens and support an initiative that will benefit millions of workers, strengthening the economic fabric of thousands of companies.