As Ferran Casabella says, “it has always been a very ‘red’ factory with a strong trade union tradition.” The workers at La Maquinista participated in the birth of the first trade unions in the metalworking sector, as well as, years later, in the active struggle against the dictatorship and for the recovery of the trade union movement, democracy, and the national rights of Catalonia.
Trade unionism at La Maquinista Terrestre y Marítima was historically very influential, representing more than 3,000 workers, a much higher percentage than is normal for any company: up to 95% of the workforce was affiliated to trade unions. This is a trade union tradition that still continues today at Alston. Interestingly, Pepe Álvarez, the current leader of the UGT trade union, worked at La Maquinista and began his trade union career there. This spirit of solidarity explains why previous generations used the term “brothers” to refer to their colleagues. There were “hard” strikes with many layoffs.
For these occasions, a solidarity “resistance fund” was created to cover the needs of the families of the laid-off workers. The legacy of trade unionism to the company was crucial in the history of the labor movements in Catalonia. Although the company was sold and closed, the union left an indelible mark on the memory of the trade union movement.
