Eusko Langillen Alkartasuna (Askatuta) – Solidaridad de Trabajadores Vascos (Independiente)

ELA-STV, a craft union movement primarily based in the Basque mountain areas, divided between a pro-capitalist grouping and a more militant grouping. The pro-capitalist faction formed ELA-STV (a), which favoured cooperation with employers.[1] Whilst the majority ELA-STV was holding its congress in two sessions in Amorebieta-Etxano (August 1976) and Eibar (October 1976), ELA-STV (a) was founded at a parallel congress in Lejona (thus the nickname 'Eladios de Lejona').[2]

The split evolved around the question of the relationship between ELA-STV and the Basque Nationalist Party. The majority of ELA-STV was moving in a more independent and progressive direction, whilst ELA-STV (a) sought to reaffirm its political ties to the party.[3] The split was bitter, with the ELA-STV accusing the ELA-STV (a) of being financially supported by wealthy capitalists, Francoists and Opus Dei. ELA-STV (a) rejected these accusations.[1]

Josu Bilbao was the general secretary of the newly formed ELA-STV (a).[3] ELA-STV (a) published a monthly journal, Lan Deya.[4] The union was supported by the Basque Nationalist Party. The other unions regarded it with hostility, since business leaders could point to the ELA-STV (a) to undermine their claims to be the true representatives of the workers. ELA-STV (a) failed to make any major headway in the 1978 trade union elections, winning only 3% of the positions.[1] It won 309 delegate seats in total.[5]

In June 1990 ELA-STV (a) held an extraordinary congress, which voted in favour of reunification with ELA-STV.[2] ELA-STV (a) merged back into ELA-STV in the same year.[6] The merger agreement was signed on July 12, 1990. At the time of the merger ELA-STV (a) had around 300 company committee delegates and some presence in heavy industries in Bizkaia.[3]