Barcelona's main trade unions will hold multiple demonstrations on 1 May 2026, International Workers' Day, calling for improved labour conditions, higher wages, and access to affordable housing. Thousands of residents are expected to join the marches across the city, protesting against precarious work, the loss of purchasing power, and the rising cost of living.
CCOO and UGT Lead Joint March
Workers' Commissions (CCOO) and the General Union of Workers (UGT) will start their joint march at 11:30 from Urquinaona Square, a central point in the Eixample district. The protest will proceed along Sant Pere Roundabout, a major thoroughfare, before concluding at Post Office Square near the city's waterfront. Their shared slogan for the day is "Against Wars and Fascism, More Rights and More Trade Unionism."
CCOO and UGT urge mobilisation against international conflicts and human rights violations, stating that global instability exacerbates the working class's struggle to find affordable housing. They highlight that the current international situation makes it harder for workers to secure homes at reasonable prices. Additionally, the unions denounce the persistent loss of purchasing power, demanding significant salary increases and a reduction in the standard working week.
CGT Commemorates Historical Struggles
The General Confederation of Labour (CGT) will commemorate two significant anniversaries this May Day, connecting current struggles with historical movements. They mark 90 years since the first issue of the "Free Women" magazine, a publication focused on women's liberation, and the popular uprising against Franco's coup d'état in 1936. Their Barcelona march begins at 11:30 from Gràcia Gardens, a popular meeting point in the Gràcia district, home to over 120,000 residents.
The CGT protest will conclude at Joanic Square, where union representatives will read a manifesto outlining their grievances. The union aims to highlight that the working class's quality of life is not improving, despite claims from businesses, politicians, and some social agents who suggest otherwise. They specifically criticise the ongoing loss of purchasing power and the alarming trend of housing becoming an inaccessible luxury for many.
Intersindical Focuses on Key Economic Issues
Intersindical has also organised a protest for 11:30, starting from Tetuan Square, another prominent city square. This march focuses on three key issues that directly worsen workers' living conditions: stagnant wages, unaffordable housing, and inadequate public transport. The union's publicly released manifesto states that workers, particularly women, are experiencing a continuous decline in their purchasing power.
Intersindical points out that stagnant wages combine with dramatically rising housing costs across Barcelona. Rental prices have increased by 70%, and purchase prices by 26%, making home ownership or even renting increasingly difficult for average earners. The union also criticises the chronic lack of investment in Rodalies commuter rail, a critical transport network that serves hundreds of thousands of Catalan residents daily.
USOC Calls for "Humanising Work"
The Workers' Trade Union of Catalonia (USOC) will observe International Workers' Day with a demonstration starting at 11:30 from Mossèn Jacint Verdaguer Square, a notable landmark in the Eixample district. The march will travel along Sant Joan Promenade, a wide boulevard, before reaching Sant Antoni Maria Claret Street. USOC's slogan for the day, "Humanising Work," calls on workers to actively defend their labour rights and demand better conditions.
These coordinated demonstrations across Barcelona underscore the ongoing challenges faced by workers in the city and throughout Catalonia. The unions continue to press for significant policy changes to address economic inequality, ensure housing affordability, and establish fair working conditions for all. The 1 May protests serve as a powerful reminder of these persistent struggles.
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Originally published by betevé. Read original article.
