Spain’s first general strike in 14 years begins
Spain's first general strike in 14 years has begun, disrupting public transport and businesses as workers demand government action over the country's housing crisis.
The 24-hour walkout, which began at midnight on Wednesday, disrupted public transport and forced businesses, factories and shops to scale back operations or close entirely across the eurozone's fourth-largest economy. Minor incidents were reported in the first hours, including roadblocks with burning tyres in Barcelona and scuffles between picketers and police near Madrid's main wholesale market.
Housing Crisis
The two main unions calling for the strike, UGT and CCOO, reported widespread participation with significant work stoppages in strategic sectors, including 90 percent in automotive and port sectors. The average rent in Spain has almost doubled over the past 10 years, with renting a 50-square-metre apartment in Madrid costing an average of 1,170 euros monthly—nearly half the average gross salary of 2,460 euros.
This is not a strike against anyone, but rather one in favour of a common response from all levels of government to a real problem, which is access to housing.
Political Response
The strike has been rejected by business groups and criticized by the conservative opposition Popular Party and far-right Vox. PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo warned that unions risked being linked to Sanchez forever if they proceeded with the strike, calling it a serious mistake following a high-speed train collision last month that killed 69 people.
The strike was triggered by the forced eviction in September of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from Madrid, who died a few days later. Housing activists leveraged the uproar to call for the general strike. Spain's socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called a snap election for November 29 after his minority government failed to secure parliamentary approval for housing measures.
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