Among the messages sent by the trade unions in May I highlight two: the fight against job insecurity and the need for joint action by the trade unions to make this fight effective. There is a joint action between CCOO and UGT, with some exceptions such as that of Mercedes in Vitoria. However, between the Basque trade unions, particularly between ELA and LAB, it is still a long way away, except in some specific cases. There is something serious about the Basque trade unions if, for their part and since 1995, they do not claim that unity.

Former LAB Secretary General Rafa Díez Usabiaga, imprisoned in prison, has defended and demanded more strongly than ever this convergence with ALS after May First. Díez says that the Abertzale syndicalism has to be brave: “The unit of action cannot drift into specific conjunctures or issues, it needs robust tactical and strategic horizons to effectively consolidate and activate our affiliation human capital and militancy. (...) Unity of action is not a political option or a union tactic (...), trade unionism is a collective necessity in nationalism to face the challenges we will face in Euskal Herria over the next decade.” Meanwhile, ELA Secretary General Adolfo Muñoz said that not seeing the potential of the ELA-LAB alliance is “a tremendous nearsightedness”: “Class and nation conflict has challenged the Abertzale syndicalism to work together.”

If since 1995 the trade unions have been in favour of this convergence, is there any other more bizarre interest for the Basque working class in ensuring that this commitment is not implemented beyond mere words?