Spain's two largest unions, UGT and CCOO, called a 24-hour general strike on 11 November over housing affordability and wages, just over two weeks before the general election on 29 November.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Spain's two largest trade union federations, UGT and CCOO, have called a 24-hour general strike on Wednesday 11 November over housing affordability and wages. The walkout is scheduled just over two weeks before Spain's general election on 29 November and two days before the official election campaign begins.
UGT and CCOO say the stoppage is for "the right to housing and decent wages to pay for it", linking workers' earnings to the escalating cost of renting and buying a home in Spain. Under the slogan Wages, housing and prices, the unions are calling for pay rises of between 4% and 7%, rent limits and a permanent stock of protected public housing. Their broader platform calls for a permanent public stock of protected housing, limits on rental prices and effective implementation of Spain's Right to Housing Law across all territories. UGT and CCOO said the strike is aimed at public administrations with housing powers and employer organisations.
The strike will run from midnight to midnight, although workers on shift patterns may begin or finish their strike action outside those hours, in line with the first and final shifts at their workplace. Government minimum-service rules mean some rail, metro, bus and air services are due to operate, but disruption is expected.
Renfe is expected to operate 75% of Cercanías commuter services during peak periods. Outside those hours, the minimum level is one train per hour in each direction, up to a maximum of 50% of the usual timetable. High-speed AVE and other long-distance rail services are due to run at 73% of normal levels, while Media Distancia regional services are set at an average of 65%. Ouigo has said it expects to run 18 of its 26 scheduled trains.
Airports will remain open, but airlines may cancel part of their schedules. Flights serving the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Ceuta and Melilla have higher protected minimum-service levels than many mainland domestic routes. International services also have minimum coverage, but airlines decide which individual flights will operate.
Schools are expected to remain open with minimum staffing in regions that have announced their arrangements, but normal teaching cannot be assumed. In Catalonia, each school must have at least one member of its management team present, alongside one teacher for every six primary classes and one third of nursery staff. In the Balearic Islands, primary schools require one teacher for every four classes, while school transport is due to operate normally. Madrid has protected 60% of school transport services.
Emergency care, intensive care, maternity services and dialysis are expected to be maintained. Routine medical activity may be affected. Andalucía has set hospital services at Sunday-level provision and excluded routine non-urgent appointments, planned operations and tests that can safely be deferred. Catalonia has set minimum staffing for primary care at 25%. Health centres in the Balearic Islands are expected to operate with reduced teams.
The strike has the backing of UGT, CCOO, CGT, CO.BAS and Solidaridad Obrera, according to El País. Regional unions including Galicia's CIG and the Basque Country's ELA and LAB also support the action. The planned stoppage would be the first general strike backed by both UGT and CCOO during Pedro Sánchez's presidency. It would also be the first national general strike supported by Spain's major class-based unions in 14 years, since the 2012 strike against labour-market and austerity measures under the government of Mariano Rajoy.
Demonstrations are also planned in cities around Spain, including evening marches in Alicante and Elche that may affect city-centre traffic.
The strike is the first national general strike supported by Spain's major class-based unions in 14 years. It comes as housing costs and wages take centre stage in Spanish politics just over two weeks before the general election on 29 November. Travelers face potential disruptions to flights, trains, metros and buses, while schools and routine healthcare may operate with reduced staffing.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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