More than 6,000 people marched through the streets of Madrid on May 1, marking the largest demonstration organized solely by the USO union. Participants traveled from across Spain, including Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Castilla y León, Aragón, Extremadura, Andalucía, the Valencian Community, and the Community of Madrid.
A Call to Humanize Employment
The procession moved from Paseo de Delicias to the Plaza de las Cortes, where demonstrators marched under the slogan Humanizar el empleo
. The crowd demanded an end to precariousness and the establishment of dignified salaries.
During the closing rally near the Congress of Deputies, USO General Secretary Joaquín Pérez argued that the current economic model treats labor as a commodity. He stated that the employment is not a commodity that is bought and sold to the highest bidder
.
The Gap Between Growth and Purchasing Power
Pérez challenged narratives of economic growth, noting that while business profits have reached historic levels, many workers have seen their purchasing power decline. He highlighted that since 2008, food prices have risen by nearly 55%, while salaries have only increased by 31%.
The union also pointed to the housing market, noting that prices have nearly doubled over the last decade. More than 60% of workers currently earn less than the average salary.
Prioritizing Prevention Over Absenteeism
The demonstration addressed the critical issue of workplace safety, with USO demanding that security become a real political and budgetary priority. Pérez rejected the business sector’s focus on absenteeism as the primary health issue in Spanish labor.
He asserted that what really kills is the lack of prevention
, arguing that repeating corporate narratives does not build them true. The union insists that safety must move beyond headlines to become a corporate and governmental priority.
International Conflict and Worker Rights
The rally also served as a platform to oppose international armed conflicts. The union argued that war leads to direct financial burdens for workers through inflation and increased energy costs, which typically impact the poorest individuals most severely.
Pérez reminded the crowd that fundamental rights, such as the eight-hour workday, vacations, and Social Security, were the result of collective struggle. He cautioned that these achievements are not guaranteed forever
.
Looking Ahead
Following this record turnout in Madrid and five other cities, USO may increase its pressure on policymakers to treat housing as a right. The union could potentially escalate its demands for a redistribution of corporate profits to address the purchasing power gap.
Future actions might focus on securing specific budgetary commitments for workplace prevention to reduce the daily death toll in industrial and service sectors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people participated in the Madrid march?
More than 6,000 people attended the demonstration in Madrid, making it the most attended event organized by the USO union on its own.
What economic statistics did the USO highlight regarding the cost of living?
The union stated that since 2008, food prices have increased by nearly 55% while salaries rose only 31%, and housing prices have nearly doubled in a decade.
What is the union’s position on workplace deaths?
USO reports that 735 people died in workplace accidents in 2025 and argues that the primary cause of these deaths is a lack of prevention rather than worker absenteeism.
Do you believe that current economic growth is being fairly distributed among the workforce?
