Unions call for 'more rights and equality' on Labor Day

Trade unions in Catalonia will take to the streets on Labor Day, on May 1, under the slogan: "More rights, more equality, more cohesion. People first."

Unions will use International Workers' Day to focus attention on job insecurity, to call for the recovery of labor rights, and to highlight the 400,000 people in poverty despite having a job.

Among the rallies in Barcelona will be a march by the Intersindical union and the ANC pro-independence group at 6pm in Urquinaona square to call for "a republic of social rights."

The IAC-Intersindical Alternativa Catalunya union group also plans a march defending political rights and against "repression" that will begin at 6pm in the Tres Xemeneies square.

Meanwhile, the CGT union plans a march starting at 12 noon in the Jardinets de Gràcia, while the USOC union will also have a demonstration in Universitat square at the same time.

The march organized by the CCOO and UGT trade unions will begin at 11.30am between the Ronda Sant Pere and Passeig de Gràcia avenues.

Going down Via Laietana avenue, the march will end with an act of remembrance for the victims of workplace accidents, which the unions say have risen in recent years due to the Spanish government's labor reforms.

Unions will also use May 1 to commemorate key achievements in the struggle for labor rights, such as the centenary of the International Labour Organization.

Demonstrations around Catalonia

Yet, Barcelona is not the only place in Catalonia where Labor Day demonstrations are planned, as events will also take place in Girona, Tarragona, Tortosa, Terrassa and Igualada.

All of these demonstrations are due to begin at 12 noon, except for the one in Terrassa, which is due to start at 11am.

Nissan and Caixabank layoffs

What's more, this year's Labor Day coincides with two of the largest layoffs taking place in Catalonia, which will affect some 3,000 workers.

One is by vehicle manufacturer Nissan, which wants to lay off 600 workers from its Barcelona plant in the Zona Franca industrial estate.

The other is Caixabank, which aims to lay off 2,157 employees as part of its strategic plan to restructure its network of bank branches.