sindicats

Sindicats is the Catalan term for labor unions. A sindicat is an organized association of workers formed to defend and advance their collective interests in the workplace and beyond. Sindicats operate at different levels, including workplace committees, sectoral unions that cover a whole industry, and larger national or regional confederations. Membership is voluntary, and internal democratic governance typically includes elected representatives and regular elections; funds are usually raised through member dues and, in some cases, public support for social programs.

The core functions of sindicats include negotiating with employers and public authorities to set wages, working hours, safety standards, and other terms of employment; representing workers in disputes and grievance procedures; and advocating for broader labor rights, social protections, and policies. They may provide legal advice, training, career guidance, and assistance with unemployment or wage claims. Sindicats also organize collective actions such as strikes to press demands.

In Catalan-speaking regions, sindicats operate within a legal framework that recognizes them as legitimate representatives in labor relations. They can be affiliated to larger confederations and participate in international union networks. The history of sindicats follows the broader European labor movement, expanding during industrialization, facing repression during authoritarian periods, and re-emerging with democratic governance in the late 20th century. Today they are active across sectors including industry, services, education, and public administration.