CCOO has defined as "strategic" for the Spanish economy the agreement reached with the Spanish Textile Retail Association (ARTE), which groups together Inditex, Mango, Primark, H&M and other major fashion chains. This is the first state-level collective agreement specific to large textile and footwear retail chains, which covers more than 120,000 employees nationwide. The union considers it "desirable" that UGT, which has distanced itself from the agreement, eventually joins, understanding that several of the labor measures included could "be exportable" to the rest of the retail sector in Spain.
In a press conference, the general secretary of the Federation, Ramón González Monroy, described the negotiation, which has lasted nearly three years, as "laborious and arduous" but, in his opinion, "strategic for the Spanish economy" due to its capacity to generate and consolidate employment.
The agreement represents an improvement in the working conditions of the sector's workforce, composed mainly of women, by unifying salary scales, harmonizing hiring modalities, and reducing working hours in all major fashion chains operating at the state level.
"We believe these are practices that should be exportable to the rest of the commercial sectors in Spain, there is no reason why they should not be, and because they will be practical solutions for the organization of work, for the companies themselves, and for the workers," González Monroy emphasized.
In this scenario, the union leader insisted that "it would be desirable" for UGT to end up supporting the text. "There is no union reason for them not to sign it. It's another matter for unions with territorial presence, but, for example, in the case of ELA, the Basque labor relations scope will be respected, and in the case of CIG, although they did not express themselves yesterday, we will see what they have to say, but these are very specific logics," he explained.
Despite the mobilizations and concentrations called by UGT in recent weeks against the agreement, González Monroy reiterated that their incorporation "would be desirable and would greatly enhance all the benefits of this agreement" to travel "that path together." He also announced that the official signing of the agreement for the major fashion chains is scheduled for June 2.
The text will reach about 140,000 people employed in the sector and, according to CCOO, introduces an unprecedented "quality of working time" by setting a generalized reduction in the annual working day. "Here it is not debatable in the overall persistent, provincial or regional negotiation, a reduction in working hours practically unheard of within collective bargaining in Spain, which begins with 1,770 hours this year, 1,760 next year, and in '28 to 1,740 hours," he detailed, warning that the "challenge" will come when these new working day limits have to be adapted in practice.
In terms of salaries, the agreement establishes tables by professional groups and contemplates for 2027 and 2028 an annual increase of 3%, also incorporating an additional review clause of 1% if inflation exceeds 3%. In parallel, the 'Plus Ad Personam' will increase by 4% for those who do not have a salary increase in 2026.
Labor Guarantees and Compatibility with Company Agreements
CCOO has also highlighted that the protection of part-time employment is reinforced, which represents a "resounding and substantial improvement" in working conditions, by preventing contracts for less than 24 hours per week from being formalized.
The union representative insisted that the ARTE agreement does not displace or repeal the collective agreements of some fashion companies, such as Primark or Tendam (Cortefiel). "There is a clause guaranteeing the maintenance of conditions, and they must respect what is more favorable within their frameworks, so it is not substitutive."
The union also valued the progress made in paid rest and in the regulation of work on Sundays and holidays. Thus, working on Sundays will have a bonus of 55 euros and on holidays a bonus of 80 euros, and it will be carried out on a "voluntary and compensated" basis, according to the agreement.