Summary - TST 39
TRANSPORTES, SERVICIOS Y TELECOMUNICACIONES
Antonio PLAZA PLAZA
The railway trade unionism of corporate origin in Spain and the struggle of the companies against the claiming action (1913-1920)
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[ Abstract ]
The strike action taken by the Unión Ferroviaria (UGT), Seccion
Catalana, in September 1912 led the railway companies to fight
the Unión to stop the claims promoted since 1909. Through the
creation of Catholic unions and supra-business organizations,
the railway companies wanted to counteract those demands, whose
main goals were wage growth to compensate price increases, and
effective recognition of the right to organize and bargain
collectively. Though recognized by law, this right was neither
accepted nor respected by the railway companies. These companies
kept punishing unionize workers. The commonly known as "yellow
unions" were used by the companies in the successive anti-union
responses against 1912, 1916 and 1917 strikes. When railway
unions resistance was overcome, the companies were supported by
the supra-business organizations, which they used to put
pressure on the Government.