Murcia Metal Employers Federation Faces Union Rejection and Leadership Vote

Union representatives from Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) voted to reject a pre‑agreement reached last Friday with the Federación Regional de Empresarios del Metal (FREMM) of the Murcia region. The agreement, which included a 15% wage increase, was criticised by CCOO, UGT and USO for failing to protect workers’ rights on temporary disability benefits and for potentially lowering overall pay. Union leaders warned that the rejection could lead to protests or strikes.

At the same time, FREMM is set to choose a new president on Tuesday. The 88 voting representatives will decide between Encarna Ortiz Asensio, a long‑time business owner, and Tomás Martínez Pagán, who has outlined priorities such as opening a vocational training centre in Cartagena, advancing digitalisation, AI and cyber‑security, and maintaining unity within the federation. FREMM represents about 2,650 metal‑related companies and employs roughly 35,000 workers in the region.