Demonstrators took to the streets across Spain during the country’s first general strike in 14 years, calling for action on the high cost of living and housing. (Foto: Instagram)
Spain’s first general strike in 14 years brought roadblocks, picket lines and confrontations with police in several cities on Wednesday, Nov. 11. Workers from multiple sectors were demanding action on the country’s high cost of living and housing costs. The mobilization began overnight in Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, among other cities.
The strike comes just over two weeks before Spain’s general election, scheduled for Nov. 29. President Pedro Sánchez is seeking reelection. In southern Madrid, the Madrid Tenants’ Union said more than 300 people blocked the A-42 highway. On the city’s Gran Via, police moved to clear the road after demonstrators stopped traffic. COPE reported pushing, scuffles and police charges, while demonstrators shouted that officers should not hit people and called the police response shameful.
In Barcelona, the Urban Guard estimated that 40,000 people took part in the demonstrations. The Tenants’ Union put participation at about 400,000. Video footage showed burning tires near the Vall d’Hebron neighborhood as demonstrators attempted to block a road. Broadcaster RTVE reported that 42 people had been arrested across the country as of Wednesday.
The work stoppage was called by Spain’s two largest labor confederations, CCOO and UGT. In a joint statement, the unions reported average participation of 71.67%. They said participation reached 90% in the automotive sector, 80% in metalworking and 82.5% in food and agriculture. Construction, mining, energy and water sectors each recorded 65%, according to the organizations.
The business group CEOE, Spain’s Confederation of Business Organizations, offered a more restrained assessment, saying participation varied by sector and region. It said business activity was proceeding normally in most sectors and regions, with the strike having a greater effect in more heavily unionized industries.
Sánchez expressed support for the strike in a Nov. 9 interview with a Spanish radio station. He said the action was “not directed against anyone in particular,” but focused on access to housing, which he described as one of the main problems facing Spanish society. Protests over housing costs have taken place in Spain since September, particularly in Madrid.
