They say that people are known by their actions, and sometimes I couldn’t agree more. Nicolás Redondo was, is and will be, for the UGT, its main referent. The UGT of today would not be known if it were not for the work and perseverance of so many years of a person as generous, courageous and coherent as him. He always dared to speak his mind and fight for what he believed. He made key decisions in the history of our country, always taking a step forward when he had to. It is, without a doubt, one of the fundamental traces of the UGT and trade unionism in this country, and union independence it has roots in his constant and permanent work.
Affiliated with the union and the PSOE since 1945, he tirelessly fought for the rights of working people. Already in 1947, At the age of 20, he organized his first strike against Francoism. General Secretary from 1976 to 1994, since 1971 he was already political secretary of the UGT, a position prior to that of general secretary. He worked for more than two decades at the head of the largest labor organization in the country to get that workers and workers do not lose rights, but that they won them and placed themselves at the center of public and political debate. Nicolás never hesitated to put the union struggle first, confronting his own party if necessary for the good of the working people. Since he opposed the Moncloa Pacts but promoted agreements with the employers, until the definition of the model of general strikes unique in Europe that characterizes us, the contribution of Nicolás Redondo to Spanish society and democracy is decisive.
Nicolás’s pulse never trembled in the face of injustice. He resigned his seat in the Congress of Deputies, In 1987, thus showing his disagreement with the General State Budget, and supporter of union action unity, together with the CCOO he carried out three general strikes, the great strike of 14-D of 1988 against the Youth Employment Plan, that of June 1992 against the unemployment reform, and that of January 1994 against the labor reform of that same year. All of them, against decisions of their own party, showing that the workers and workers were always ahead. It is without a doubt, the father of union autonomy In our country.
Today we say goodbye to a great leader, but above all a great person. Example of humility, work and perseverance. Many of the social and labor conquests that we enjoy today, such as vacations, paid leave, etc., were forged in thousand and one meetings in which Nicholas participated, putting labor rights before political interests.
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Many have been the people who They have accompanied us in their farewell, and all have highlighted their work and their passion for trade unionism. Nicolás will always be a reference for all of us, and it is fair to say that has guided many of the people that today we defend and work for the rights of working people.
For the General Union of Workers and Workers, It is a very sad, hard and painful day. We lose a partner who has marked us and who we will never forget. He leaves one of the greatest, and sWe can only say thank you, Nicolás.