The offices of the Federation of Businessmen of León (FELE) hosted a significant meeting of the CEOE Castilla y León board, focusing on pressing economic and business issues, including an assessment of the recent general strike and the challenges posed by the current political and economic landscape.
Prior to the meeting, Santiago Aparicio, president of CEOE Castilla y León, along with FELE president Juan Mª Vallejo, evaluated the strike's impact, noting a low participation rate of just 1.52% across the region and 1.4% in the province of León. They highlighted the normalcy with which business activities continued throughout the community.
Aparicio stated that these figures align with national data provided by CEOE and CEPYME, emphasising that businesses should not bear the economic consequences of demands that fundamentally fall under the purview of the central government.
Vallejo expressed gratitude towards both companies and workers for their responsible behaviour, which helped maintain provincial activities in a climate of normality and coexistence.
Addressing the issue of housing access, Aparicio acknowledged it as a major societal problem with significant implications for workforce mobility and the integration of professionals into businesses. However, he asserted that “sharing a problem does not mean endorsing any form of protest to resolve it.”
He also warned that the economic impact of a strike extends beyond participation rates, as production interruptions, transport issues, delivery delays, and access difficulties can cause substantial harm to businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.
Aparicio reiterated the organisation's respect for the constitutional right to strike, while also defending the rights of those who choose to work and the businesses that wish to operate normally.
Looking ahead to the upcoming general elections, he called for responsibility, democratic coexistence, and respect during the electoral campaign, urging the avoidance of tensions and confrontations that could harm society and the economy.
In this context, Aparicio expressed confidence that the future government would prioritise institutional stability, legal security, and genuine dialogue with business organisations and other social agents. “Dialogue should not be limited to formally listening to social interlocutors. It must serve to contrast proposals, reach agreements, and make decisions that allow for the compatibility of social progress with the maintenance of employment and the competitiveness of our companies,” he stressed.
At the beginning of his remarks, Aparicio also paid tribute to Fátima Báñez, president of the CEOE Foundation, highlighting her dedication, social commitment, and efforts to connect businesses with those in need of greater opportunities.
