Spain’s 24-Hour General Strike Over Housing Hits Wednesday

Spain’s two biggest union federations, UGT (General Workers’ Union) and CCOO (Workers’ Commissions), have confirmed a 24-hour general strike for Wednesday, Nov. 11, over housing costs and wages. Minimum services are in place for transport, healthcare and schools, but coverage varies by region and operator, idealista/news reported.

The strike runs from midnight to midnight, although workers on shifts may start or finish outside those hours.

What this means for getting around

Renfe is expected to run 75% of Cercanías commuter services at peak times. Outside those hours the minimum is one train per hour in each direction, up to 50% of the usual timetable. High-speed AVE and other long-distance trains are due to run at 73%, and Media Distancia regional services at an average of 65%. Ouigo expects to operate 18 of its 26 scheduled trains.

The strike falls between separate Renfe train drivers’ action, which includes a full-day stoppage on Nov. 10 and partial action on Nov. 12. Rail disruption may therefore stretch beyond Wednesday.

Airports stay open, but airlines may cancel part of their schedules. Flights to the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Ceuta and Melilla have higher protected minimum levels than many mainland domestic routes. Airlines decide which international flights go ahead.

Schools and hospitals in Catalonia

Schools are expected to stay open with minimum staffing. In Catalonia, each school must have at least one member of its management team present, plus one teacher for every six primary classes and one third of nursery staff.

Emergency care, intensive care, maternity services and dialysis are due to be maintained across Spain, though routine medical activity may be affected. Catalonia has set minimum staffing for primary care at 25%.

Shops, supermarkets, bars and banks have no legally required minimum services, so opening hours will depend on staff. Pharmacies are expected to stay open, and some areas may use Sunday opening arrangements.

Why the unions are striking

Under the slogan “Wages, housing and prices”, the unions want pay rises of between 4% and 7%, salary-review clauses, rent limits and a permanent public stock of protected housing. They also call for full implementation of Spain’s Right to Housing Law across all regions.

UGT and CCOO say the stoppage targets public administrations with housing powers and employer organizations. It follows Congress’s rejection of housing-related decree-laws and large housing demonstrations the previous weekend.

CGT, CO.BAS and Solidaridad Obrera also back the strike, according to El País, as do regional unions including CIG in Galicia and ELA and LAB in the Basque Country.

What’s at stake politically

The walkout comes just over two weeks before Spain’s general election on Nov. 29 and two days before the official campaign begins. It would be the first general strike backed by both UGT and CCOO during Pedro Sánchez’s presidency, and the first national general strike supported by the major unions in 14 years, since the 2012 strike against austerity under Mariano Rajoy.

Demonstrations are planned in cities around the country, including evening marches in Alicante and Elche that may affect traffic in the city centers.

Source: idealista/news