The conflict in Kosovo and calls for a 35-hour working week were the focus of the demonstrations organised by the trade unions in 60 Spanish cities on 1 May 1999.
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The conflict in Kosovo and calls for a 35-hour working week were the focus of the demonstrations organised by the trade unions in 60 Spanish cities on 1 May 1999.
In 1999, May Day was clearly marked in Spain by two issues: the employment crisis and the conflict in Kosovo. These issues were present in practically all the demonstrations held across 60 Spanish cities, in the manifesto issued by the UGT and CC.OO trade union confederations, in the banners and slogans of demonstrators and in recent speeches and articles by union leaders.
On 24 April, UGT and CC.OO published a joint manifesto - also serving to counter rumours of disagreements between the unions - in which they argued strongly in favour of "a Europe at peace" (a reference to the Yugoslavian conflict) and "a Europe with citizens' rights" (meaning greater social cohesion and solidarity). Regarding the first point, they condemned the "genocide being committed against the Kosovar people" and called for an end to the bombing by NATO and an intervention by the European Union in favour of "peace, solidarity and democracy across the whole continent". With regard to the second question, the unions favoured a policy of social cohesion and solidarity for the whole of Europe. In Spain, they called for a policy that combats unemployment and insecure employment and, in particular, for measures such as shorter working hours, greater investment in employment policies, attention to the rights of immigrants and protection for unemployed people.
On 1 May, these problems were addressed in each region in line with its particular circumstances. In Catalonia, emphasis was placed on the 35-hour working week and the reform of temporary employment agencies (ES9904117F). In the Basque Country, May Day witnessed preparations for the general strike demanding the 35-hour week that the trade unions had called for 21 May (ES9905129N). In Madrid, the demonstrators called for a change in the government's social and economic policies, and in Galicia for a revitalisation of the industrial fabric.
However, in all the union demonstrations, even the smallest, concerns for peace and coexistence appeared to be fundamental. For some commentators, this signified that unions and workers have widened their horizons to become spokespeople for citizens' rights and the fundamental human rights of all Europeans and all workers, because when threatened these rights are more important than work.
Eurofound recommends citing this publication in the following way.
Eurofound (1999), May Day marked by widespread demonstration, article.
