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UGT calls for a 4% pay rise in Catalan supermarkets
Tuesday's protest outside Foment del Treball comes as strikes are still planned for 24 and 31 December. Around 25,000 employees could walk out while salary and working condition improvements remain unresolved.
Around 25,000 supermarket and food self-service workers are being called to join a strike across Catalunya on 24 and 31 December. It would be the first strike in the sector and is still scheduled to go ahead during the Christmas period.
The strike remains on the table
Staff and the employers’ organisations GEPSAC y CEDAC have met several times since the last agreement expired on 31 December 2025. Another meeting is planned for the end of October, but the December strike call still stands.
The strike was announced two weeks ago. Moisés Berruezo, from FeSMC-UGT Catalunya, explained that they chose those sensitive dates for the sector and gave two and a half months’ notice to allow time for dialogue. He also pointed out that they see the strike as a last resort, though sometimes they consider it necessary to make progress.
What UGT is demanding
Tuesday’s protest brought their demands to Foment del Treball in Barcelona. Called by UGT Catalunya, the workers are demanding a 4% annual pay rise and for salary reviews to be linked to the IPC.
They say the previous agreement led to a 2.1% loss of purchasing power for staff. That’s why they are asking for a change in the pay review formula.
They are also calling for a real reduction in working hours and for polyvalence to be recognised and paid. In addition, they want the pay scales to be unified above the minimum wage. They are not convinced by the employers’ proposals on sick leave either.