Oct 04 - Unite Works with Spanish Unions Over Spain Dispute
Spanish and Gibraltarian unions are joining forces to call on the Gibraltar, Spanish and regional governments to enter dialogue and end the provocation and confrontation in the row over fishing rights and the imposition of beefed-up border checks.
Unite, CCOO (Comissiones Obreras) and UGT (Union General de Trabajadores) met today to further discuss the impact of the current border dispute on working people from Spain and Gibraltar. Around 10,000 Spanish and 2000 other EU workers cross the border from Spain to Gibraltar to work each day.
The unions are working together on a joint manifesto to be presented to the Spanish central, regional and Gibraltarian governments to urge an end to the current row, which is hurting ordinary working men and women and their ability to support their families.
Unite national officer, Kevin Coyne commented on the matter, ‘Unite, UGT and the CCOO have a proud tradition of joint cooperation to support working people in Spain and Gibraltar. The current row between Spain and Gibraltar is hurting Spanish and Gibraltarian workers who live and work together as neighbours.
‘We are extremely concerned at the recent demonstration at the border organised by extreme right wing groups and the incitement of racial prejudice and violence in the social media. It is time to put an end to this dispute and recognise that confrontation always fails. We need agreed solutions and the people must come first and should be put above state policies and hidden agendas.’
