Méndez to remain in UGT leadership position

Workers have lost confidence in the labor unions according to a recent survey by the Center for Sociological Investigations (CIS is the acronym in Spanish), which shows that the work unions are doing has served their own interest more than the interest of jobless workers. With leaders like Cándido Méndez, who has the security of knowing that he will be reelected the next time that the General Union of Workers (UGT is the acronym in Spanish) and has led the union for 20 years, is makes sense that the institution would stagnate and lose touch with reality.

Years ago the unions defended the interest of an aristocratic working class, civil servants and workers from big companies who had untouchable liberties. The system did not allow companies enough flexibility to achieve much progress. For that reason, the unions lost touch with struggling young and unemployed workers.

Unions were stumped when the crisis undermined traditional methods of bargaining like protests and strikes. They were not able to come up with any solutions at a time when they could have played a critical role. Maybe a change in strategy or leadership would have worked?

But Méndez says that he has the strength and desire to lead the unions. His organization has been plagued by corruption scandals, such as what happened in Andalusia. Méndez should use the reelection meeting to start an overhaul of the labor unions and start a term limit to the secretary general office.