The president of the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE), Antonio Garamendi, wanted to respond on Tuesday to the claims of the unions, which threatened a "hot autumn", and of the Government during May Day to promote wage improvements and business profit sharing. The businessman affirmed that salaries are already "in fact going up" in the agreements that are being signed and that the negotiations with the centrals have not been interrupted.
"Salaries are actually going up. Agreements are still being signed. We are working on it and discretion is usually the key. The table is open. It is not true that we have gotten up from the table, but, at a given moment, we did. we have not been able to accept it. We continue working", assuring in statements to Cadena SER.
In Garamendi's opinion, "the problem is when you are given maximums that are not possible." He stressed that, “while negotiating, the word discretion is the key. We all have to win and give in a little bit ”, and he recalled that 17 labor agreements have been signed since Garamendi presided over CEOE, one month ago on health and occupational risks. "It is the basis for there to be social peace and for all of us to work for a better future for our country," he stressed.
Regarding the benefits of large companies, he maintained that “there are mantras that I do not share. The rate of signing contracts is lower but it continues to be done ”, and she muted the warnings of mobilizations from the CCOO and UGT if salaries are not raised. In this regard, she affirmed that "the declarations of the unions on the 'hot autumn' must be framed on May 1."
Regarding politics, he assured that CEOE is located "apart from partisanship" and in social dialogue it is necessary to work "with independence and a sense of State and institutional loyalty." “Government criticism affects us little or not at all. We do not have to listen because the Government must look at itself and see what it has to do. He has to talk about his own and not look for blame, ”he added.
Regarding business profits, and after the collection of corporate tax increased by 20% last year, Garamendi stressed that a good part of this income comes from the activity of large companies abroad. He recalled that he is president of the CEOE, which also represents SMEs and the self-employed, whose activity is not growing at the same rate.
Garamendi revealed that yesterday, coinciding with labor demands, he spoke with Pepe Álvarez (UGT) and Unai Sordo (CCOO) to congratulate International Workers' Day. He also admitted that the double electoral call this year does not help advance the talks between employers and unions.
