Thousands of workers mobilised across Catalonia on May Day, 1 May, to demand labour rights, improved wages, and access to housing. Protesters also expressed rejection of wars and the rise of the far right.
In Barcelona, the main demonstration, organised by the CCOO and UGT unions, gathered thousands of people. Under the slogan "Against wars and fascism, more rights and more trade unionism", the unions reported approximately 10,000 participants, while the Guàrdia Urbana estimated 2,500.
The march started at Plaça d'Urquinaona and proceeded along Via Laietana to Plaça de Correus, pausing in front of Foment del Treball. Union representatives highlighted peace, housing access, and wage improvements as key themes for the mobilisation. They specifically condemned the impact of armed conflicts on the working class and the housing crisis.
Demands for Higher Wages and Public Transport Control
Other demonstrations took place in Barcelona, organised by UGT, USOC, and Intersindical. Sergi Perelló, general secretary of Intersindical, called for "confrontational trade unionism". He demanded an increase in the interprofessional minimum wage to €1,500, action against housing speculation, and for the Catalan government to take full control of the railway network.
Similar protests were held in other cities across Catalonia, including Tarragona, Girona, Lleida, Terrassa, Tortosa, Igualada, and Reus.
In the Valencian Country, Valencia city hosted a large demonstration under the slogan "Rights, not trenches: wages, housing and democracy", organised by CCOO PV and UGT PV. The march began at Plaça de Sant Agustí in a festive and defiant atmosphere, focusing on defending labour and social rights, as well as rejecting wars and far-right policies.
Protests Across the Catalan-speaking Territories
During the Valencia march, chants supported working-class unity and criticised recent political management. Mobilisations also extended to other Valencian municipalities such as Alcoi, Alacant, Elx, and Castelló.
In the Balearic Islands, Palma saw a significant mobilisation with over a thousand participants, according to the Spanish government delegation. The demonstration started at Plaça d'Espanya and moved through the city to Parc de la Mar. Demands focused on the difficulty of accessing decent housing, the loss of purchasing power, and opposition to international conflicts. Union representatives denounced the progressive impoverishment of the working class and called for measures to control rising prices.
In Northern Catalonia, over a thousand people demonstrated in Perpinyà. The march, organised by Intersindical, began at Plaça de Catalunya and headed towards the prefecture. Among the demonstrators were striking workers from clinics in Perpinyà and Cabestany. The march called for better wages to protect workers' purchasing power.
Andorra did not hold any May Day demonstrations. The Andorran Trade Union Union stated that no calls for protests were made because it is a working day for many employees, linking this directly to the lack of collective agreements.
