Eusko Langillen Alkartasuna (Askatuta) – Solidaridad de Trabajadores Vascos (Independiente)

ELA-STV (Askatuta)
Full name Eusko Langillen Alkartasuna (Askatuta) - Solidaridad de Trabajadores Vascos (Independiente)
Founded 1976
Date dissolved 1990
Key people Josu Bilbao, general secretary

Eusko Langillen Alkartasuna (Askatuta) – Solidaridad de Trabajadores Vascos (Independiente) ('Basque Workers' Solidarity (Independent)', abbreviated ELA-STV (a)) was a trade union centre in the Basque Country, formed in 1976 after a split in ELA-STV (Basque Workers' Solidarity). It rejoined ELA-STV in 1990.[1]

Formation

ELA-STV, a craft union movement primarily based in the Basque mountain areas, divided between a pro-capitalist grouping and a more militant grouping. The pro-capitalist faction formed ELA-STV (a), which favoured cooperation with employers.[1] Whilst the majority ELA-STV was holding its congress in two sessions in Durango (August 1976) and Eibar (October 1976), ELA-STV (a) was founded at a parallel congress in Lejona (thus the nickname 'Eladios de Lejona').[2]

The split evolved around the question of the relationship between ELA-STV and the Basque Nationalist Party. The majority of ELA-STV was moving in a more independent and progressive direction, whilst ELA-STV (a) sought to reaffirm its political ties to the party.[3] The split was bitter, with the ELA-STV accusing the ELA-STV (a) of being financially supported by wealthy capitalists, Francoists and Opus Dei. ELA-STV (a) rejected these accusations.[1]

History

Josu Bilbao was the general secretary of the newly formed ELA-STV (a).[3] ELA-STV (a) published a monthly journal, Lan Deya.[4] The union was supported by the Basque Nationalist Party. The other unions regarded it with hostility, since business leaders could point to the ELA-STV (a) to undermine their claims to be the true representatives of the workers. ELA-STV (a) failed to make any major headway in the 1978 trade union elections, winning only 3% of the positions.[1] It won 309 delegate seats in total.[5]

In June 1990 ELA-STV (a) held an extraordinary congress, which voted in favour of reunification with ELA-STV.[2] ELA-STV (a) merged back into ELA-STV in the same year.[6] The merger agreement was signed on July 12, 1990. At the time of the merger ELA-STV (a) had around 300 company committee delegates and some presence in heavy industries in Bizkaia.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Zirakzadeh, Cyrus Ernesto. A Rebellious People: Basques, Protests, and Politics. Reno: University of Nevada Press, 1991. pp. 72-73
  2. 1 2 Garde Etayo, Maria Luisa. ELA-STV: Un sindicato nacionalista vasco durante la transición (1975-1981)*
  3. 1 2 3 El País. ELA-STV refuerza su hegemonía en Euskadi al resolver una antigua escisión
  4. ↑ Fundación Pablo Iglesias. Catalogo de publicaciones periodicas. Madrid: P. Iglesias, 1984. p. 183
  5. ↑ El País. Comisiones Obreras y UGT han ganado en elecciones sindicales
  6. ↑ Pablo, Santiago de, Ludger Mees, and José Antonio Rodríguez Ranz. El péndulo patriótico: historia del Partido Nacionalista Vasco, Vol. 2. Barcelona: Crítica, 2001. p. 337
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