CCOO has put on the table the existing differences between workers’ salaries and business margins. According to the union, the latter have increased by 66% since 2019, while workers have hardly recovered from the loss of purchasing power in the inflationary crisis of 2022. A new price increase is now also being faced, so workers are encouraged to go to general strike on November 11.
This is what the report states Business margins, prices and wagesprepared by the CCOO Economic Cabinet, collected by Europa Press. The document determines that the gross operating result of the companies analyzed went from 207,000 million euros in 2019 to 342,000 million, in terms of annual average until the second quarter of 2026.
Business margins increased as wages attempted to regain purchasing power
The report states that the companies’ sales margin rose from 11% to 12.8% during the period analyzed, a fact that, according to CCOO, reflects that they not only limited themselves to offsetting the increase in costs, but also improved their profitability.
Although it recognizes that international conflicts, especially the wars in Ukraine and Iran, increased energy costs for companies, the consequence on prices has been intensified by the actions of companies with the capacity to influence their respective markets.
Regarding salaries, although salary improvements, the increase in the interprofessional minimum wage (SMI) and job creation have allowed part of the purchasing power to be recovered, the current new price increase puts this recovery at risk.
Housing, fuel and food account for significant increases in margins
The analysis also points out the increases in business profitability in sectors related to the main household expenses. In the field of housing, the margins of financial entities have increased by 93% since 2019, while those of construction companies have increased by 90% and those of real estate companies, by 34%.
The greatest differences are observed in the fuel sector. According to CCOO, oil company margins have increased by 374% compared to 2019, while fuel prices have increased by 93% until September 2026.
In the food chain, business margins are 51% higher during the same period, compared to the 39% increase in food prices.
Gas and electricity companies have also increased their margins considerably, specifically by 73%, while the hospitality industry registers increases of more than 90% with an increase in sector prices of 31%.
Unai Sordo (CCOO) respects Puente’s resignation and demands an “urgent debate” on the railway problem
CCOO calls a 24-hour strike in the railway sector to demand labor improvements and changes in Renfe and Adif
Given this situation, CCOO has called on workers to participate in the general strike called for next November 11 and demands that the good results of the companies are also reflected in salaries and lower costs in basic goods and services.