Luis Miguel Gutiérrez revalidates his position as the general secretary of UGT Granada for the next four years after receiving the support of 94.52% of the votes at the 16th Provincial Congress, held on June 7, 2025.
Joining Gutiérrez in leadership are Dolores Fernández as Secretary of Organization and Administration; Encarna Vargas as Secretary of Employment and Trade Union Policy, Institutional and Social Affairs; Elisenda Sánchez as Secretary of Equality, Youth, and Training; and Juan Rivas as Secretary of Collective Bargaining, Environment, and Occupational Health. At the closing ceremony of the congress, Oskar Martín, leader of UGT Andalucía, also spoke alongside Gutiérrez.
In his speech following the re-election, the provincial secretary thanked the delegates for their trust and pledged to «continue fighting for the rights of the workers in Granada.» He called on the public conscience, especially the working class, in the face of a «reactionary wave that threatens the social and labor rights already won,» warning that «we cannot let our guard down if we do not want to return to dark times.»
Gutiérrez expressed his intention to «continue modernizing the union, emphasizing transparency and loyalty to its principles, with dialogue, and in favor of the interests of the Granada working class.» He highlighted that «UGT has once again regained its position as the leading union in the province, having won the union elections in 2024, which allows us to be present at all negotiation tables.»
He emphasized the union’s financial independence, stating that «over 90% of our income comes from memberships, we do not rely on subsidies.» He also praised the organization’s work, noting that «negotiation tables, legal cabinet, mediation in Serclas, negotiating mandatory equality plans, all require hours of work covered by our membership, the true contributors, benefiting all workers in Granada.»
A fair distribution of wealth, directly reflected in salaries, and the promotion of agreements and collective bargaining will continue to be «the main driving forces of UGT’s trade union policy in Granada,» Gutiérrez anticipated, defending the importance of collective work and the unity of the union’s provincial bodies as fundamental pillars of trade union action.
He acknowledged that «we have made improvements in Granada, with increased employability and contributions, as have other provinces,» but lamented that «quarter after quarter, when the EPA data is released, we continue to be one of the Spanish provinces with the highest unemployment rates, if not the highest.» Therefore, he called for «investments and specific active employment policies to free us from this territorial gap.»
He also advocated for reducing the workweek to 37.5 hours, arguing that «with more free time, there will be more consumption, feeding back into the production chain and the business and economic profit,» and reiterated UGT’s ultimate goal of a 32-hour workweek.
In response to criticism from employers regarding this measure, he added that «back in 1983, when the 40-hour workweek was approved, it was said that companies would be destroyed, that the world would end; just like when we raised the minimum wage, which was deemed unfeasible.» However, he emphasized that «we see how employment continues to grow, contributions are increasing, and the economy is doing well.»
Lastly, the newly re-elected leader of UGT in Granada emphasized the need to «address the housing problem, particularly affecting the youth,» and committed to «promoting environmental protection policies, developing a sustainable tourism model, and promoting safety and health in the workplace.»
GRANADA FACING GLOBAL UNCERTAINTY
In his address, the general secretary of UGT Andalucía highlighted the global uncertainty and specific challenges facing the province of Granada, while celebrating and acknowledging the recent achievements of the provincial union, which won the union elections in 2024, and set the roadmap for future challenges.
Oskar Martín stated, «We are experiencing a tumultuous period where certainties are shaken, with a socio-economic model out of control that increases inequalities and generates conflicts.» He also pointed out that «phenomena like ‘dana’ demonstrate that climate change is a present, not future, reality,» and warned that «Granada directly suffers these impacts with desertification and water stress.»
He also addressed the digital revolution, warning that artificial intelligence and automation «pose risks to labor rights without social control and negotiation.» He emphasized the interconnectedness of sustainability and employment, underscoring that «without the planet, there is no work.»
Locally, Martín acknowledged that despite Granada being «a center of artificial intelligence,» the province «faces challenges such as chronic unemployment, lack of opportunities for young people, inequality in access to public services, and the gap between the capital and the regions.» He affirmed that UGT «commits to firm trade union action rooted in the territory to address these issues.»
Regarding recent achievements, Oskar Martín highlighted that «thanks to union work, there is more stable employment, less temporary work, and increased social coverage in Andalucía today,» noting that «Granada is no exception.» He stressed that there have been «wage improvements, pension protection, and sustained social dialogue.»
However, the union leader did not shy away from pending challenges: «thousands of people are still in precarious situations, so it is crucial to strengthen collective bargaining and fight for a fair redistribution of wealth.»
One of the main demands, according to Martín, is the reduction of the workweek to 32 hours over four days, an «irrevocable flag to distribute work and life,» reiterating UGT’s firm stance against «hate speech from the far right and the criminalization of migrants.»
He made a strong call for unity and mobilization of UGT delegates in Granada to continue defending the rights of the working class, concluding by expressing his support for Luis Miguel Gutiérrez and the new Provincial Executive Committee of UGT Granada, wishing them success in this new term.