Bolivian Workers' Center

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**COB**
Bolivian Workers' Union
Central Obrera Boliviana
Country	Bolivia
Affiliation	WFTU
Key people	Jaime Solares, executive secretary Oscar Salas Moya, general secretary
Office location	La Paz, Bolivia

The Bolivian Workers' Center (Spanish: Central Obrera Boliviana, COB) is the chief trade union federation in Bolivia. It was founded in 1952 following the national revolution that brought the Revolutionary Nationalist Movement to power. The most important affiliate of the COB was the Union Federation of Bolivian Mine Workers (FSTMB). From 1952 to 1987, the COB was led by the legendary Juan Lechín, who was also head of the FSTMB.

Traditionally a demanding, confrontational organization, the COB has had a difficult relationship with every Bolivian president since the 1950s. More recently, it played a significant role in the series of demonstrations that brought down President Carlos Mesa (2005). The COB currently supports nationalization of the natural gas reserves and opposed water privatization during the 2000 Cochabamba protests.

COB demonstration, October 2005

The COB represents about 2 million Bolivian workers, bringing together workers from various branches of industry and public services as well as consultation with many peasants' and indigenous leaders, such as Felipe Quispe

The current Executive Secretary of the COB is Jaime Solares, a revolutionary socialist who has promised Evo Morales "a civil war" if the president continues what he sees as interference in the internal life of the union.