Spain’s unions call a 24-hour strike over housing and wages before 29 November election
Spain’s largest unions, CCOO and UGT, have called a nationwide 24-hour strike on 11 November over wages, housing and prices, the first general strike they have jointly backed since 2012. The walkout is expected to disrupt transport, schools and public services, with minimum staffing in essential sectors; it follows housing protests and comes less than three weeks before the snap election.
Bottom line — The Bank of Spain says Spain is short 750,000 homes, with the gap potentially exceeding one million by 2028.
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The September eviction of 87-year-old Madrid resident Maricarmen Abascal helped galvanise protests; she later died, according to Al Jazeera and The Local.
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The Spanish Youth Council puts average monthly rent at €1,176 and the average salary of a young person at €1,190.
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CCOO and UGT are seeking general pay rises of 4% to 7%; Idealista data cited by The Local puts October rent for a 50-square-metre Madrid flat at €1,170.
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Renfe’s minimum services include 75% of commuter trains at peak times, 65% of regional services and 73% of high-speed and long-distance trains, according to InSpain.news.
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The strike falls between separate train-driver stoppages on 10 and 12 November, reported by Idealista/news.
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The PP and Vox have called the strike politically motivated; the unions say housing and wages are legitimate concerns, according to The Local.
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Congress is due to consider housing decrees on 12 November, the day after the strike, according to teleSUR English.