Who we are
Advocating for Gibraltar’s Workforce: United for Fairness and Progress
At GGCA, we are more than just a union—we are a dedicated community of professionals, advocates, and everyday workers united in our commitment to shaping a better future for Gibraltar’s workforce.
A few decades of expertise
Member Satisfaction
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Why work with us
Modern Approach & Sustainable Results
Advocating for Fairness
We envision a future where every worker in Gibraltar enjoys equitable treatment, fair wages, and safe working conditions.
Empowering Through Education
We aim to provide continuous learning opportunities, ensuring our members are well-informed and equipped to navigate the evolving workforce landscape.
Fostering Solidarity
We strive to build a unified community where workers support each other, amplifying their collective voice to drive meaningful change.
Championing Workers' Rights
We are committed to being at the forefront of advocating for policies and practices that protect and enhance workers’ rights in Gibraltar.
Promoting Sustainable Employment
We seek to collaborate with employers and policymakers to create stable and sustainable job opportunities for current and future generations.
Enhancing Quality of Life
We aspire to improve the overall well-being of our members by securing benefits and working conditions that promote a healthy work-life balance.
What Clients Say About Us
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Milestones
Discover Our History
The Gibraltar General and Clerical Association (GGCA) is an independent trade union dedicated to advocating for the rights and interests of workers across Gibraltar’s public and private sectors. Established in 1947 as the Gibraltar Civil Service Association, the GGCA has evolved to represent a diverse membership, including those in the Civil Service, Government Authorities and Agencies, Crown Servants within HM Naval Base (Ministry of Defence), and various private sector roles.
First Steps
the Gibraltar Civil Service Association was originally formed and registered in 1947 and this constituted the beginning of an Association for the public sector in Gibraltar
the Gibraltar Government and Clerical Association (GGCA), was formed in 1968 when the Clerical and Technical grades decided that their interests would best be served if they broke away from the Gibraltar Civil Service Association that represented a multiple of different grades and which therefore, brought sometimes a clash of interests whilst carrying out negotiations with Management.
The First President of the newly formed Gibraltar Government and Clerical Association was Mr. Frank Sullivan and the first Hon. Secretary, Mr. Douglas Yeats.
During 1983 the Association went through a further name change, keeping the acronym but changing the word Gibraltar to General and re-registering as the Gibraltar General and Clerical Association, (GGCA), this allowing a broader spectrum for membership within the Public and Private sector of the workforce in Gibraltar.
In 1985 Mr Silvio Peliza, who had been the Hon Secretary of the GGCA for many years while a serving Civil Servant, was engaged by the then Committee as the first full-time paid official once he had retired from the Service. Silvio served as the full-time Secretary between 1985 and 1990 the post being named Branch Secretary during 1989.
A UK based Trade Union known as the Institute of of Professionals, Managers and Specialists and who represented a number of UK personnel working within HM Naval Base Gibraltar and Technical grades, shared premises with the GGCA when their representative was visiting Gibraltar. During 1989, negotiations with the IPMS by the then President of the GGCA, Mr J Valarino and his Committee, brought about by ballot of the GGCA membership a merger with the UK Trade Union and the GGCA went through another metamorphosis and became the GGCA Branch of the Institute of Professionals, Managers and Specialists. GGCA though kept its name and autonomy and still retained the services of their own Branch Secretary. This was the beginning of a new dawn for the GGCA and its membership.
The ’90’s saw the retirement of Silvio Peliza and Eleri Surrey installed as the new Branch Secretary and 1995 the stepping down of Joe Valarino as President to make way for MariCarmen Pecino the GGCA’s first female President of the Association. The ‘9o’s proved to be a difficult period for the GGCA having two differing Governments during that decade, however with the new millennium, the GGCA stepped into the birth of a new era for the Civil Service, Public Sector and Private Sector and as a force to be reckoned with as a Trade Union.
In 2000, the association underwent a significant transformation, adopting the name GGCA to reflect its broader representation beyond the civil service, encompassing a wider range of clerical and administrative professionals. This change marked a commitment to adapt to the evolving needs of Gibraltar’s workforce.
Throughout the early 2000s, the GGCA actively engaged in negotiations to improve working conditions, salaries, and benefits for its members, addressing challenges arising from technological advancements and organizational changes within the public sector.
The global financial crisis of 2008 presented economic challenges worldwide, and Gibraltar was no exception. The GGCA played a crucial role during this period, collaborating with the government to ensure that austerity measures minimally impacted public sector employees, thereby maintaining job security and fair compensation.
In 2018, Gibraltar enacted the Heritage and Antiquities Act, emphasizing the preservation of the territory’s cultural heritage. While not directly linked to the GGCA, this period highlighted the importance of safeguarding Gibraltar’s identity, a value the GGCA has consistently championed in its advocacy for workers’ rights.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought unprecedented challenges globally. The GGCA responded proactively, working alongside the government to implement measures ensuring the safety of public sector workers while maintaining essential services for the community.
Between late 2024 and early 2025, the GGCA embarked on a significant rebranding initiative to align with modernization efforts and enhance communication with the local community. This rebrand included updating the association’s visual identity, launching a more user-friendly website, and increasing engagement across social media platforms. The goal was to ensure that the GGCA remained a contemporary and accessible advocate for Gibraltar’s workforce.
As of 2025, the GGCA continues to be a cornerstone of Gibraltar’s labor landscape, adapting to modern challenges such as digitalization and evolving labor laws. Its enduring commitment to advocating for workers’ rights ensures that it remains a vital institution in Gibraltar’s socio-economic framework.