Cross-border union group holds first meeting

The IRTUC (South) Interregional Trade Unions Council held its first executive meeting yesterday at the offices of Unite the Union in Gibraltar.

All four member unions - Unite the Union, NASUWT, and Spanish unions CCOO and UGT - were represented.

The council reiterated its primary objectives which are its opposition to Brexit, the right to free movement of people and merchandise, and the respect of all workers and citizens in general on both sides of the border.

IRTUC (South) laid out its agenda for the coming months which included the production and distribution of a leaflet to explain to people crossing the border what an interregional trade union council is and how it works which will be made available in both English and Spanish.

They are hoping to arrange a joint meeting between council members, the Gibraltar Government and the Junta de Andalucia to present the IRTUC and the proposed work ahead.

Additionally, they are hoping to host a conference for delegates of all four member unions at which the General Secretaries of UGT and CCOO will speak as well as invited speakers from UNITE and NASUWT.

IRTUC (South) is also hoping to publish a guide for workers which will include practical information on employment laws and rights and how they can access a support network.