The banking sector takes to the streets. The workforces of the financial sector are called to mobilize this June 3rd in different Spanish cities. The call, promoted by CCOO, comes in a context of record profits for the main banking entities and after the publication of a comprehensive study on the work environment in the sector.
Below are the main keys to the protests.
Why have these mobilizations been called?
The gatherings respond to the growing discontent among the workforces of financial entities due to current working conditions. The union maintains that the profound transformation experienced by the sector in recent years has coincided with an increase in pressure on workers, especially in aspects related to workload, commercial objectives, work time organization, and occupational health.
What has changed in the financial sector in recent years?
The report Financial sector: the voice of the workforces, prepared by CCOO, indicates that since 2008 the sector has undergone a profound restructuring.
Among the main changes are:
- A 64% cut in the branch network.
- A 40% reduction in employment dedicated to direct customer service.
- A highly intensive process of digitalization and operational reorganization.
- An average age of the workforce currently standing at 45 years.
According to the union, this process has occurred at the same time as the main financial entities have increased their profits.
What does the survey conducted among workers say?
The study collected 46,235 valid responses from workers in the sector.
Among the highlighted results are:
- 96.9% of branch network workers state that workload and work pressure have increased substantially in recent years.
- 93.1% of central services employees claim to suffer from excessive workload.
- 85.9% of office workers and 82.3% of central services workers believe that these conditions negatively affect their physical or mental health.
- More than 95% of office employees and more than 91% of central services workers state that they would support collective mobilizations to demand changes.
What are the main demands?
CCOO identifies four major factors that, in its opinion, are behind the deterioration of the work environment:
- The workload and understaffing.
- Commercial pressure and certain leadership models.
- Extended working hours.
- Hyperconnectivity and the lack of digital disconnection.
Based on this diagnosis, the union is demanding measures related to strengthening staff, reviewing variable remuneration systems, protecting mental health, effective compliance with working hours, and greater transparency in professional development.
Where are the gatherings being held?
The banking mobilizations called for this June 3 will take place in front of the headquarters of various financial entities in several Spanish cities:
- Madrid (BBVA), Paseo de Recoletos, 10, at 11:00 AM.
- Madrid (Banco Santander), Paseo de Recoletos, 19, at 12:00 PM.
- Barcelona (Banco Sabadell), Rambla Catalunya, 115, at 12:00 PM.
- Seville (BBVA), calle Granada, 1, at 11:00 AM.
- Seville (Banco Santander), avenida de la Constitución, 3, at 12:00 PM.
- Valencia (Cajamar), calle Marqués de Sotelo, 11, at 12:00 PM.
- Málaga (Unicaja), avenida de Andalucía, 10-12, at 12:00 PM.
- A Coruña (Santander, BBVA y Sabadell), Rúa Cantón Pequeno, 18, at 11:00 AM.
- A Coruña (Abanca), Rúa Nova, 30, at 12:00 PM.
- Zaragoza (Ibercaja), Plaza Paraíso, 2, at 12:00 PM.
- Valladolid (BBVA y Santander), calle Santiago, 17, at 12:00 PM.
What is CCOO seeking with these protests?
The union states that the gatherings aim to open a negotiation process on the labor model of the financial sector.
Among its objectives are greater staff participation in decisions affecting work organization, the review of incentive and variable remuneration systems, improvements in occupational health, and measures aimed at balancing workload and work-life balance.