Asociación Obrera Asambleista

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Asociación Obrera Asambleista (AOA) was a Spanish trade union founded in 1977. It was connected to the Communist Party of Spain (Marxist–Leninist) and the Revolutionary Antifascist Patriotic Front, and it grew from the Workers’ Trade Union Opposition (Oposición Sindical Obrera).

AOA promoted an assemblyist model: real power lay with workers’ assemblies, and the delegates’ mandates could be revoked at any time. In negotiations, AOA refused to compromise, saying assemblies should decide any deals with employers. The group was seen as far left.

AOA opposed the Moncloa Pacts, urged a No vote in the 1978 constitutional referendum, and called other unions like the Workers’ Commissions (CCOO) and the UGT “yellow unions” for signing the Moncloa Social Pact. It demanded higher wages than the pact’s cap, a 40-hour work week, 30 days of vacation, and full paid sick leave.

In late 1979, AOA condemned the new Workers’ Statute proposed by the Union of the Democratic Centre as “Francoist” and campaigned against government economic policies. The movement often stood alone and was isolated from other unions because of its maximalist stance. It also fought for blind people’s right to employment and social security.

AOA held its first congress in Madrid in January 1978, claiming around 2,500 delegates at the founding congress; a pre-congress conference had 610 delegates in October 1977. Its second congress took place May 15–16, 1982. The union published a journal called Asamblea Obrera.