Workers across Spain began a 24-hour general strike on Wednesday over housing affordability and wages, disrupting public transport, factories and other services less than three weeks before a snap general election.
It is the first general strike supported by both the UGT and CCOO union federations since 2012. But the call did not start with them. Housing activists, angered by the September eviction and subsequent death of 87-year-old Madrid resident Maricarmen Abascal, called for the strike and then won the federations’ backing, France 24 reported.
That reverses the usual order. On 14 December 1988, UGT and CCOO stopped the country against a Socialist government’s youth employment plan, and the government withdrew the plan. On 14 November 2012 they struck against a conservative government’s labour reform. This time, union leaders say, there is no single government to aim at. They have said the strike is not “against the opposition”, as PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo described it. They say it targets everyone involved in housing policy: the central government, the regions (which hold most of the powers) and town halls. They also name employers, over wages.
The walkout, jointly backed by the UGT and CCOO union federations, is the first such general strike supported by both groups since 2012.
The unions said early participation reached 90% in ports and the automotive sector, 85% in the meat industry, 82% in waste collection and 75% in energy, although Reuters reported turnout was uneven across the country.
Transport was disrupted in Madrid and Barcelona, while picketers blocked roads and bus depots.
Reuters reported an arrest near Madrid's Mercamadrid wholesale market.
CCOO said police used pepper spray there and that 13 people required medical attention, while police confirmed the arrest but did not confirm pepper spray was used at that location.
The strike follows weeks of protests over housing costs and evictions, intensified by the September eviction and subsequent death of 87-year-old Madrid resident Maricarmen Abascal.
UGT and CCOO are seeking stronger government intervention in housing alongside wage measures.
The figures diverge sharply.
UGT’s Rafael Espartero put early participation between 75% in Andalucía and Aragón and 41% in Extremadura.
In Castilla-La Mancha, unions said 60% and employers said 5%, according to El Español.
At 9:00, Red Eléctrica data showed electricity demand 10.8% below the previous Wednesday.
Renfe said 6.83% of its staff had struck by 11:00.
CEOE, the employers’ lobby, described a low turnout.
Some of this reflects the mix of sectors involved. Electricity demand mostly tracks industry, where the unions are strongest.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the November 29 election after parliament rejected government housing measures aimed at limiting eviction risks and rent pressures.
The Popular Party and Vox have criticised the strike as politically timed, while business lobby CEOE has argued that expanding housing supply and reducing construction-related taxes would be more effective.
The timing places the strike directly alongside the election calendar.
Spain's official election decree, published in the state gazette, sets November 29 as polling day and says the formal 15-day campaign begins on November 13, just two days after the walkout.
Housing affordability has become a central campaign issue.
Reuters cited the Youth Council of Spain as saying average rent of about 1,176 euros a month is equivalent to 98.7% of an average young person's monthly income.