Spain’s first general strike in 14 years brought protests and transport disruptions to Madrid, Barcelona and other cities as workers called for action on housing costs and the cost of living. (Foto: Instagram)
Spain faced its first general strike in 14 years on Wednesday, Nov. 11, as workers and other groups demanded action on the high cost of living and housing. Roadblocks, pickets and clashes with police were reported from early in the morning in Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. The mobilization came just over two weeks before the Nov. 29 general election, in which President Pedro Sánchez is seeking reelection.
In southern Madrid, the Madrid Tenants’ Union said more than 300 people had blocked the A-42 highway. On the city’s Gran Via, police moved to clear the roadway after hundreds of demonstrators stopped traffic. COPE reported that officers charged into the crowd and that pushing and scuffling followed. Protesters shouted objections and insults at police during the intervention.
Barcelona also saw major demonstrations. The city’s Urban Guard estimated that about 40,000 people took part, while the Tenants’ Union put participation at around 400,000. A video shared by local broadcaster btv notícies showed tires burning near the Vall d’Hebron neighborhood; the tires forced the Ronda de Dalt roadway to close in both directions, according to the broadcaster. Spanish public broadcaster RTVE reported that 42 people had been arrested in strike-related actions nationwide.
The walkout was called by Spain’s two largest union confederations, CCOO and UGT. The unions said their average participation estimate was 71.67%. They reported a 90% participation rate in the automotive sector, 80% in metalworking and 82.5% in food and agriculture. In construction, mining, energy and water, the reported rate was 65%. The figures were presented by the unions in a joint statement.
The Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations, known as CEOE, offered a less expansive assessment of the strike’s reach. It said participation varied by sector and region, and that business activity was proceeding normally in most areas. According to the employer group, the strike had a greater effect in sectors with stronger union representation. The union and employer assessments therefore differed both on the scale of participation and on how broadly the stoppage was affecting business.
Sánchez voiced support for the strike in an interview with a Spanish radio station on Nov. 9. He said the action was not directed against any specific person, but focused on access to housing, which he described as one of the main problems facing Spanish society. Protests over housing costs have been taking place in Spain since September, particularly in Madrid. The strike brought those concerns into a nationwide mobilization shortly before the election, while disruptions and arrests were reported in several cities.
