Workers World, April 2009.
Aragones GM worker Zaragoza, CCOO militant from the seventies, and veteran militant Marxist Górriz Ramon is currently the Secretary of Labor Action. Linked to the Mining and Metallurgy Federation from its beginnings as CCOO union, is in charge of taking the class unionism to the most vulnerable sectors of our economy. United Left activist since its foundation and occasional contributor to Workers World, is a member of Federal Political Council of UI from its Ninth Assembly. Workers World
: It shows a clear shift of risk and responsibility of those who have led and managed the crisis to workers laid off through policy advocacy and social adjustment. "Against this, what strategy to develop CCOO? Ramón
Górriz : There is a clear historical continuity of the position of the employers over recent history. For the economic right, in time of crisis the problem is in the labor market, so that only one answer: more flexibility. CCOO rejects this position of the employer, and will oppose any position to defend a supposed solution to the crisis resulting from the loss of rights. The economic problem and work in Spain must be sought in their own economic structures, for which defends CCOO short term solution to the crisis to pass by three priorities: protecting jobs, increased social protection and change the production model. For this to happen to a State Pact for Employment.
This change of economic model we advocate involves firstly the implementation of a new fiscal policy, to recover its escalation, with the aim of increasing the resources needed for implementation of an industrial emergency plan, the development of advanced scientific and technological policy, the implementation of the Law Unit and the strengthening of the FP and the entire public education. A change in the production model, therefore, that places the public sector as its centerpiece.
MO: But the crisis is not so much a moral issue of entrepreneurship as a structural issue. We live in an economic model that requires low labor costs for expansion. A Covenant of State as proposed by CCOO seems difficult. RG
.: It is clear that the crisis is the result of that we have bad businessmen. The structural problem identified related to the proposed change in the production model to which I referred. The crisis is not overcome unless we change the growth model that Spain possesses. With that goal CCOO proposes a State Pact, in which specific sectors of the business may also be agreed. Within the bosses are different views and CCOO works in social dialogue with the aim of more conservative positions are isolated and antisocial.
MO: The last weekend Felipe Gonzalez urged to "take the cranes as a way to overcome the crisis. While Zapatero's economic policy focuses on the development of an ambitious plan of infrastructure. Everything points to what the government does not question the current economic model. CCOO How do you approach this situation? RG
.: The Government acts in an impromptu and somewhat contradictory. On the one hand Zapatero announced that the Government will maintain the benefits and will not perform any labor reform, CCOO statements from a positive value. On the other, on 6 March, approved by the account a series of measures against the advice of the unions. Measures are based on recipes and failed as the use of subsidies to employers and the commitment to part-time contract in a country, like Spain, has an production structure that can be used the contract to support the economy and lead to situations of discrimination and inequality among workers.
MO: After the measures approved on March 6 by the Government. What is the status of the social dialogue? RG
.: You can see three positions. CCOO defended by reaching an Alliance for Jobs that last all term, a kind of defense by the CEOE of a "full program", and finally a highly publicized government's attitude for fear of losing the next European elections and, therefore, aimed to give an impression of "government that makes decisions." In this framework is in which we understand the measures adopted on 6 March.
MO: It seems clear that if a deepening commitment to the model, sooner or later, it is inevitable that the government is in favor of taking steps flexibilizing labor market. With that perspective, do you think right to exclude a general strike? RG
.: The general strike is a tool CCOO workers and therefore never discarded. General strikes are called against an assault on the rights of workers or in defense of a particular social or economic plan. CCOO will continue defending the policy dialogue in defense of jobs, increase social protection and changing the production model. At the moment this is where we work. But if what is proposed is a policy of job cuts and loss of rights as a solution to the crisis, then CCOO not rule out a general strike in response.
MO: It seems, therefore establishing a dialectic of change-continuity which is linked to another dialog-mobilization. You talked about how CCOO focuses its work on social dialogue. But what role do the demonstrations in this period? RG
.: CCOO UGT with is conducting various demonstrations throughout the state, events that should not be so isolated or testimonial but are part of a sustained and well planned. The answer to them is still very important. Manifestations such as Zaragoza or Barcelona from March 14 and make it clear. In Madrid there is planned a demonstration on April 19 and a European response on 14 May in Madrid organized by the CES. The demonstrations are central to avoid cutting measure workers' rights at a time, which like the present, some want to take to continue the same policies that have led to the current disaster.
MO: So you talk about a tactic of building strength, under which aim immediately? RG
.: The imposing a negotiated solution to the crisis through a compact term, what we call the Employment Pact, which in addition to defend jobs and increased social protection involves an production model change and fiscal policy. For this CCOO works in social awareness, mobilization and dialogue forums.
MO: However it is clear that there is a power bloc, which means that the problems of the crisis in the labor market, and policies linking cheaper labor costs to job creation. RG
.: If the output is reduced rights, will strike.
MO: Currently under discussion is also the national agreement on Collective Bargaining (ANC). with employers. In what situation is? RG
.: CCOO argues that the purchasing power of workers is not affected by the crisis. The crisis has led to wage loss, so we reject the position of the employer of a wage increase of 1% 0a. We are facing a crisis of demand, making wage moderation as a pro-cyclical measure. From the employer argues that the crisis poses a uniqueness not covered by the ANC signed. The only exceptional have been the main business benefits of 2006-2008. CCOO will not allow the crisis is the excuse they use the employer to impose a policy of job cuts.
MO: You make further reference as CEOE policy to labor cuts for wage moderation. Why? RG
.: For the employer the ANC is a kind of vase. Their real aim is to impose a policy on social dialogue based on three measures: lowering social security contributions by 3% to control absenteeism go to mutual and finally, the flexibility of the contract (the "contract crisis) and the legalization of private placement. You may give in to the ANC but only in exchange for imposing these measures. CCOO it defends against a wage increase of 2% with the aim of increasing the purchasing power of workers, along with an increase of social protection and defense of a change in the production model.
MO: You mentioned the convening of the CES. What gives value CCOO to articulate an international response to the crisis? RG
.: The next May 14 in Madrid converge class unionism in Southern Europe, as in other cities similar demonstrations will take place the same day. CCOO understand that discourses of "nationalism" are nothing more than economic ways that try to impose anti-labor policies making use of political nationalism, racism and xenophobia. In moments like this, if we do not respond to social and leftist European level, which will be a strengthening of nationalism, and therefore, policies contrary to the interests of workers.
MO: CCOO attaches great importance to the tax issue. What CCOO defends policy on this? RG
.: CCOO opposes any economic policy based on lower taxes and lower social security contributions of employers. Now, in times of crisis, the state has no resources to address the social and economic consequences of the current situation and the policy of subsidies to lower prices could jeopardize their own Social Security. At the beginning of the legislature was clear that the economic situation would worsen, and yet the tax was abolished Heritage, measures such as the "400 euros", the "check baby", etc. It is necessary to abandon the liberal tax and monetarism to return to the escalation and the adequacy of our tax model.
MO: But this new tax model has to be coupled with a new financial system in Spain. What is the alternative CCOO facing the financial sector? RG
.: More government intervention through increased and effective implementation and monitoring conditions of entry into the boards of private banks. Second, and for savings banks, CCOO is favorable to mergers but linked to a reform of the Banks Act and defend the social character of the same. Finally, CCOO is favorable to the application of social clauses in relation to the Local Investment Fund.
MO: Before talking of the need to build up forces for a social outlet to the crisis. But it is essential to strengthen and extend the class unionism in those sectors dominated social and economic job insecurity, lack of rights and the absence of the union. How does CCOO these sectors? RG
.: At the Ninth Congress passed a Trade Union Action Plan for the next four years. Our goal is to bring the contents of this plan at the same social dialogue. In particular, we can say that the content of the Action Plan can be summarized in four points: strengthening trade union action and collective bargaining, to refer to our organizational policy to the unions and federations, and two related points structural changes, advocating a new model and the defense attorney an economic alternative. These are the central elements of our proposal.
If we focus more on the organizational model, we bet to strengthen the unions. The delegate of the CCOO have to do what is decided in the union section. The works council does not operate or organize, the union section itself. But falls into corporatism.
MO: Finally. On 6 March, the first encounter between the leadership of the CCOO and the United Left. How do you rate it from CCOO relations between the two organizations? RG
.: From CCOO respect the autonomy from the strategies of other organizations. In the things we try to agree further, where we disagree we are still debating. But this autonomy does not mean equidistance CCOO. For Workers' Commissions, the United Left is part of the social body which is CCOO, the ones who set the need for change in society. In this regard, we appreciate very positive recovery from IU, the discourse of the centrality of the working world at its last meeting.
* Marxist Research Foundation.
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