MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Gibraltar and Spain trade unions call for an end to border crossing dispute
“We share the same concerns and speak the same language on this issue” said Unite’s Michael Netto (Pic by vox.gi) The Gibraltar branch of Unite the Union has joined forces with Spanish unions Comisiones Obreras [CC.OO] and Unión General de Trabajadores [UGT] to underscore their collective concern at the deterioration of cross-border relations because of the on-going dispute.
The unions have asked for meetings with the Government of Gibraltar, the Junta de Andalucia and the Spanish Government to convey their fears that the row is impacting negatively on the social fabric of communities on both sides of the border.
Last August the three unions signed a manifesto in which they called on their respective governments to engage in “political dialogue and reason” and avoid confrontation and provocation.
The unions said communities on both sides of the border had come to each other’s aid “in times of war and despair”, adding that this sense of unity was far removed from policies that pitched neighbour against neighbour.
“We share the same concerns and speak the same language on this issue,” said Unite’s Michael Netto.
“As unions we are deeply worried, not only about the economic repercussion that the area is undoubtedly suffering right now but also about the souring of human relations between two communities that share a long history of trade, family and friendship.”
That sentiment was echoed by CC.OO’s regional secretary, Inmaculada Ortega, who said the aim was to ensure political leaders in Spain and Gibraltar were aware of the sentiments in the joint manifesto.
These include cooperation for the benefit of workers and fostering good neighbourly relations to encourage socio-economic development across Gibraltar and the Campo.
“We are firmly convinced that the economic, social and cultural relations between Gibraltar and the region are being affected in a very negative way by the measures being adopted by the different governments,” the Spanish unions said in a statement earlier this week.
“This is more-so in a region that is already facing enough problems as a result of the Spanish economy collapse and crisis.”
Top Comments
Disclaimer & comment rules-
-
-
Read all comments“This is more-so in a region that is already facing enough problems as a result of the Spanish economy collapse and crisis.”
Sep 18th, 2013 - 09:34 pm 0Real sums it up I think. “collapse and crisis” sums up Spain 2013. What sums up Gibraltar 2013?
Keep Calm and Carry On!
I find it beyond pathetic on your part that you so crassly “gloat” about that fact that another country is in a crisis. And that you use it to set up some subtle, lordly juxtaposition.
Sep 19th, 2013 - 01:38 am 0And please don't think you are immune: so did the Americans and Europeans prior to 2008.
Nostrils
Sep 19th, 2013 - 03:37 am 0When are you going to learn to argue? Honestly you would think that someone who claims to attend university would be more capable than you are. But then again considering the low rankings of Argentine universities it is to be expected.
Anyway, the words above are not mine, they are the words of the regional secreaty of Comisiones Obreras, Inmaculada Ortega.
As per usual in your haste to attack you didn't even read the article. But then again you revel in being a troll.
There was no gloat. It is a fact. I even delimited the fact by saying 2013. Spain IS in economic collapse and crisis NOW in 2013. That might not be the case next year. It won't be the case forever.
However in 2013 Spain is deflecting attention from the simpletons in their population (you surely know the type, Argentina seems to have a higher proportion than many other countries of these people) by rallying around the flag and trying to get people to NOT concentrate ont he sleaze and corruption in government and the downward economic trend.
Gibraltar - right next door - is not suffering these problems.
Any further clarification of facts needed?
As for gloating, if I had mentioned that Australia overtook Spain in economic size during this crisis - that would be gloating.
If I then highlighted that my country with a population half Spain's outproduces it then that would be gloating even more. Perhaps I shouldn't mention that Spain's population just shrank whereas ours is the fastest growing in the developed world.
But that would be just mean.
As for being immune to economic problems. I have never and never will state that! But we will never be as bad economically as Argentina is now. I will state that!
Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!