This rally of the C.G.T., the main anarcho-syndicalist union in Spain, and other alternative unions and rank and file movements was called in opposistion to the "pacto social". The "pacto social", or social pact, is a "partnership" deal between, on the one hand, the two main unions, the social democratic U.G.T. and the communist C.C.O.O., and on the other hand the government. The later headed by the much travelled Jose Maria Anzar. The pact will make for an end to collective bargining and make for wage restraint, poorer working conditions and "flexibilty".
In contrast to this class collaborationist policy the C.G.T. agitiate for a general strike in defence of public services threatened by privatisation, for the right to stable employment against the growing trend of temping and sub-contraction, for a 35 hour week with no loss of pay, and for protection of the unemployed. The later enjoying few of the rights of their Northern European cousins.
Being in the against capitalist globalisation tradition the demonstration also featured opposistion to the war and to the government´s plans for the Universities (privatisation, reduction in student grants, temporary labour, and less representation for students and staff in the administration).
Various peace banners were scattered throughout the crowd and a noisy bunch of students made up the rear. There were more red and black C.G.T. flags the whole length of the march than there is grains of sand on a beach. O.K. slight exageration, but you get the picture.
Curious for me were the Red-Yellow-Purple flag of the pre-39 republic, which I thought were only to be found in museums but it appears is popular with some leftists and the still existing republican movement.
There was a jovial ambience with fireworks, ballons and revolutionary songs (A Las Barricadas and Bandera Rosa).
The very heavy police presence was suprisingly unobtrusive.
For me the most postive thing I took away from the day, was seeing the diversity of Spain´s Anarchist-Syndicalist movement, which is not dominated by youth and which appears to have made inroads into the country´s growing immigrant community.