Head of Catalan employers’ group wins election

Joan Rosell became the President of the Spanish Confederation of Employers’ Organisations on 21 December 2010. He replaces Gerardo Díaz Ferrán, who resigned after public criticism over his airline’s abrupt closure and alleged non-payment of staff. Mr Rosell, President of the Catalan employers’ organisation, emerged as the winner in the first election held for the job, after defeating his rival, Santiago Herrero, President of the Andalusian employers’ organisation.

Presidency of Díaz Ferrán

The presidency of Díaz Ferrán was characterised by his radical stance on the labour market and collective bargaining reform.

The only agreement signed with the trade unions during Díaz Ferrán’s term of office (February 2007–December 2010) was the agreement establishing the main criteria and guidelines for employment and collective bargaining between 2010 and 2012 (ES1002019I).

However, most members of the Spanish Confederation of Employers’ Organisations (CEOE) liked him, with any criticism of him associated more with his performance as a businessman rather than as president of the confederation.

Mr Ferrán started to face serious problems in December 2009, when he was forced to close his airline Air Comet after its aeroplanes were seized. The ministry of public works criticised Diaz Ferrán for his handling of the airline’s crisis and the abrupt closure of the company. However, in line with insolvency law, the travel group Viajes Marsans was closed a few months later. Both processes have been very controversial with some staff demanding several months’ unpaid salary.

These events led to criticism in the media, from the unions and among CEOE members that the critical situation of Díaz Ferrán’s enterprises was tarnishing the image of the employer organisation. Under pressure, Mr Ferrán decided to call for elections, in order to safeguard negotiations regarding pensions and the collective bargaining reform, which were then underway. In his final speech as CEOE president, he shifted blame to the Spanish President José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, saying: ‘First he denied the crisis and then he managed it badly.’ He added that CEOE’s recommendations were implemented late and only partially.

Joan Rosell wins the elections

The first elections in the history of CEOE were held on 21 December 2010. After days of negotiation among several candidates, Joan Rosell, President of the Catalan employers’ organisation, went head to head with Santiago Herrero, President of the Andalusian employers’ organisation, obtaining 444 votes compared with Herrero’s 247.

In his first speech as President, Joan Rosell said he aimed to ‘re-credit the market economy, strengthening the foothold for social dialogue and renewing the representative organs of the employer organisation’. Among his first actions was the reduction of vice-presidencies from 21 to nine. The members of the new governing board are:

• Arturo Fernández, President of the employer organisation of Madrid (CEIM);

• Jesús Terciado, President of the Spanish Confederation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (Cepyme);

• Rafael Ferrando Giner, President of the employer organisation of Valencia (Cierval);

• Javier Ferrer Dufol, Vice-President of the employer organisation of the metal sector (Confemetal);

• Joan Gaspart, Vice-President of the Catalan employer organisation (Foment del Treball);

• Pilar González de Frutos, President of the insurance employer organisation (Unespa);

• Juan Lazcano, President of the construction employer organisation (CNC);

• Jesús Morte, President of the Aragonese employer organisation (CREA);

• Jesús Serafín Pérez, President of the employer organisation of the food and drink industry (FIAB).

Mixed reactions

The composition of the governing board shows a sense of continuity, while excluding representatives of the employer organisations which supported Santiago Herrero in the election. Some business employers have objected to the absence of representatives from important sectors such as banking and energy. There has also been surprise at the lack of representatives from those organisations acting for enterprises in the north and south of Spain.

Commentary

The unions have welcomed Joan Rosell, highlighting his willingness to work towards agreements. In this regard, it is worth noting that the government, the Trade Union Confederation of Workers Commissions (CCOO), the General Workers’ Confederation (UGT) and CEOE have just reached an important agreement on pensions, collective bargaining regulation and active labour market policies. In can be said that the revitalisation of social dialogue has been partly motivated by the renewal of CEOE.

Pablo Sanz De Miguel, CIREM Foundation