The employee organizations have opened the door for labor unions. This past week, the CEOE planned union participation in the Consejos Consultivos, just as Germany has done. But its delegates' lack of skill in the corporate space makes this endeavor difficult if not impossible. They should regroup, a requirement that at least Comisiones Obreras, a labor union in Spain, has detected.
Comisiones Obreras, run by Fernández Toxo, has initiated an internal revitalization process. His support of the current socialist government has passed muster and Toxo has the license to go ahead and carry out the plan. Workers are not required to affiliate with the union and that is owed to the fact that the labor unions have not adapted to new economic realities.
They continue to defend the status quo. They should say goodby to the union bulletin boards, use email, accept that so many hours are not necessary for them, and build a less-intensive supervisory role in lieu of formative structuring. The best model for how to effect these changes lies in their own workforce.
The the change in the CCOO extends beyond external reforms. The group also wants to clean up its image. To do that, Toxo has announced the creation of an immense civil platform and will make the most of the 15-M group's pull. The protesters from 15-M are not relying on labor unions to defend their rights. And now it is the labor union's role to regather its affiliates.
