The Confederació General del Treball (CGT) in Lleida is marking 40 years since its founding, having grown to become the third-largest union force by affiliation in the province. The organisation, which started with just four militants, now has over 700 members and nearly 100 delegates across various companies, according to officials.
Born from the renewal of the CNT of Catalonia, the CGT Lleida began in late 1986. Its early efforts focused on Correus, where it secured union representation in 1987. This sector became a core area for membership and action, helping the CGT expand into other fields.
A significant turning point came in 1988 with the acquisition of a permanent office. This space allowed the union to hold regular meetings, offer labour advice, provide training, and increase its public presence in Lleida. The general strike on 14 December that year also helped boost its organisational growth and membership.
Expanding Influence in the 1990s
The 1990s saw the union's structure solidify. Membership grew from dozens to several hundred, and the CGT gained ground in sectors such as metal, banking, education, healthcare, and public companies like Renfe and Telefónica. In 1992, Lleida hosted the IV Congress of CGT Catalonia, an event that reinforced the CGT's distinct identity within the broader confederation.
During the early 1990s, a new generation of young activists emerged, linked to libertarian, anti-militarist, and cultural movements. This shift pushed the union beyond purely labour issues, leading to its involvement in cultural, political, and social initiatives. Projects like the Ateneu Libertari de Lleida (Libertarian Athenaeum of Lleida) were born from this environment.
Consolidation and Social Movements
The 2000s further cemented the CGT's presence, with the union gaining access to institutional spaces such as the Lleida Provincial Council and the Lleida City Council. New struggles also arose, including organising in the telemarketing sector, which employed hundreds of workers in the city. The precarious working conditions and intensive demands in this sector helped the union gain a stronger foothold.
This union growth coincided with strong ties to social movements and anti-capitalist political groups. The CGT collaborated with projects like Lleida Treballadora (Working Lleida), self-managed community centres such as La Maranya, and pro-independence collectives. Over the last two decades, CGT members have consistently participated in social movements, including platforms against high-voltage power lines in the Pyrenees, neighbourhood movements, citizen tides, and youth spaces. Its involvement in the provincial feminist movement and the defence of seasonal workers has been particularly important.
Four decades on, the organisation is the third-largest union in the Lleida province. It continues to gain influence in public administration, education, and healthcare. The CGT has also strengthened its regional presence in areas like Urgell, Segarra, Solsonès, and Alt Pirineu. In an era marked by precarious work, labour fragmentation, and changes in the world of work, the CGT maintains its defence of unionism as a tool for labour protection and social transformation.
Anniversary Celebrations Underway
To mark its 40th anniversary, CGT Lleida has organised a series of events. These started on 29 April with a photographic exhibition at the Rectorate building of the University of Lleida, which chronicles its history over the past four decades and is still open to visitors. On 15 May, a concert will take place at La Boite featuring the groups Tribade, Doble AA, and Ponent Roots as the DJ.
Historian Jordi Soldevila will lead a historical tour of working-class and anarchist Lleida on 5 June. The celebrations will conclude on 26 June with a rally in Plaça Sant Francesc, followed by a community dinner at the Ateneu Cooperatiu La Baula (La Baula Cooperative Athenaeum).
