Spanish Civil War Memory Project

Summary

Laurentino González grew up in a small miner's town outside of León. Laurentino relates that his father worked in the mines and was a member of the Communist Party of Spain. He explains that his father was imprisoned and tortured in the 1960s. Laurentino describes his own experiences during his father's imprisonment. He tells of trying to balance work and school during the 1970s. Laurentino discusses moving to Barcelona, with the help of his siblings, to continue his studies and find better work. He details his life in Barcelona, specifically his school and work experiences. Laurentino notes his political activity in the Partit Socialista Unificat de Catalunya (Unified Socialist Party of Catalonia). He retells his return to León to work in the mines, like his father. Laurentino relates his involvement with the workers' movement, first in the mines and later at Philips. He speaks about his participation in workers' strikes, the union Comisiones Obreras (Labor Commissions, CCOO), and the Partit dels Comunistes de Catalunya (Party of the Communists of Catalonia). Laurentino recalls the internal conflicts that developed within CCOO and led to the formation of the Sindicato de Comisiones de Base (Trade Union of Base Commissions, CO.BAS). Laurentino comments on the values of CO.BAS., his current involvement in the syndicate, and his hopes for its future