Barcelona's Labor History: From Precariousness to the 8-Hour Day

Life and Labor in Early 20th Century Barcelona

Precarious Living Conditions

At the dawn of the 20th century, working-class families in Barcelona endured conditions of near-subsistence. They often lived in cramped, small houses, frequently shared with other families. Barcelona itself was undergoing rapid growth, leading to a process of social disintegration, particularly affecting its most vulnerable populations.

The city's social fabric was distinctly stratified:

• Immigrants: Many resided in the older, more established areas.
• Bourgeoisie: Concentrated in the affluent Eixample district.
• Artisans: Settled in villages recently annexed by Barcelona.
• Working Class: Predominantly located in the industrial zones.

Harsh Working Environments

Working conditions were exceedingly precarious:

• Long Hours: Workdays typically stretched from 10 to 12 hours, often including Sundays.
• Lack of Contracts: Employment contracts were virtually nonexistent.
• Poor Hygiene: Basic hygiene standards were severely lacking in workplaces.
• Safety Neglect: No measures were taken to ensure worker safety.
• Insufficient Wages: Wages barely covered the most basic food necessities.

Furthermore, the working class found it nearly impossible to improve their social standing through education, as illiteracy rates were alarmingly high.

The Influence of the Press and Anti-Clericalism

The press that reached the working class shared a common characteristic: strong anti-clericalism. Beyond criticizing the wealthy elite, these publications fueled a widespread animosity towards the ecclesiastical establishment. The Church, in turn, often preached to workers about accepting their current situation and finding solace in the promise of heaven after death, a message that further alienated many.

Barcelona's Labor Uprising: Strikes and Social Conflict

The Rise of Protest Movements

In early 20th century Spain, widespread protest movements and demands for labor improvements often escalated into revolutionary fervor. Workers hoped that general strikes would help them achieve their goals.

The Landmark La Canadiense Strike of 1919

In early 1919, a new tactic was implemented: the "Single Union" strike, which involved all workers within a specific sector. A pivotal example was the strike against the Canadian Electricity Company (known as "La Canadiense") in Barcelona. This significant industrial action achieved remarkable successes:

• The release of detained workers.
• The readmission of dismissed employees.
• The establishment of the eight-hour workday, a major victory for labor rights in Spain.

The Era of Gunmen and Social Conflict (1919-1923)

Despite these gains, not everyone was in agreement. The period from 1919 to 1923 became known as the "Era of Gunmen" (Pistolerismo), marked by intense social conflict. Employers, often supported by "yellow unions" (employer-backed unions) and paramilitary groups, hired gunmen to suppress labor activism. This violent period resulted in casualties on all sides, though workers were disproportionately affected.

It was during this time that the infamous "Ley de Fugas" (Law of Flight) was frequently applied. This law effectively allowed police to shoot anyone attempting to escape custody, often used as a pretext for extrajudicial killings of labor activists.

The End of an Era: Primo de Rivera's Dictatorship

The tense atmosphere of this period eventually concluded with the establishment of the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera (1923-1930). His regime effectively sidelined major labor organizations like the Communists and the CNT (Confederación Nacional del Trabajo), bringing a temporary end to the open conflict but not the underlying social tensions.