New Spanish bargaining structure ratified

A new structure for collective bargaining in Spain has now been ratified by parliament. The bulk of the provisions, which, as in Italy, give a greater role to company agreements (see Workplace Report, June, page 8), are unchanged. However, in return for the abstention of parties from Catalonia and the Basque Country in the vote in parliament, the government agreed that, where there is a clash between regional and national-level agreements, those reached at regional level, for example in Catalonia or the Basque Country, should have precedence.