Spain's two biggest unions call 24-hour general strike over housing before 29 November vote

What is planned

Spain's two largest trade unions, CCOO and UGT, have called a 24-hour general strike that begins at midnight on Wednesday, 11 November. It is the first time since 2012 that the two have backed a general strike together, a year when Spain was in the grip of an austerity crisis. Their slogan, 'wages, housing, prices', ties the walkout to pay and the cost of living as well as to shelter. Demonstrations are also set for late afternoon on Wednesday in several cities, including Madrid and Barcelona. The unions say success will depend mainly on turnout at those marches rather than on how far business and services come to a halt.

Why the walkout was called

The strike grew out of anger over housing costs. In September an 87-year-old woman was evicted from the Madrid home she had lived in for more than seven decades, after her corporate landlord raised the rent. Footage of her being forcibly removed on a stretcher sparked nationwide demonstrations and encampments, and she has since died. The Bank of Spain says the country has 750,000 fewer homes than it needs and estimates the gap could exceed one million by 2028. According to the Spanish Youth Council, average rent has reached 1,176 euros ($1,318) a month, set against the 1,190 euros ($1,333) that the average young person earns. Tenant associations have drawn thousands onto the streets since 23 September, and many people on low incomes live in overcrowded shared flats or with their parents.

Average monthly rent1,176

Average young person's salary1,190

Average monthly rent

1176 euros

Average young person's salary

1190 euros

Data from the article text

Politics and reactions

The walkout has divided the political class. Congress rejected the government's housing decrees with the votes of the conservative Partido Popular, the far-right Vox and the Catalan pro-independence party Junts, a dispute that preceded the snap election call. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has posted a video citing past social gains and warning that what took a century to win could be lost in an instant. The employers' confederation, through its president Antonio Garamendi, questioned the strike's legality because it does not centre on a labour issue. Garamendi also said the walkout has a clear political and electoral component and seems aimed more at the opposition than at the government. Political analyst Luke Stobart argued that the strike could keep housing at the centre of the campaign, saying:

“he knows that if you have a general strike before elections, that will force everyone to talk about housing”

Travel and services

Transport, schools, healthcare and other public services are expected to be disrupted, and public transport in large cities will run at reduced capacity. Lufthansa Group has warned passengers about the walkout:

“The strike is expected to have an impact on the Lufthansa Group airlines' flight schedule to and from Spain.”

Customers on Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Brussels, Eurowings and Discover flights affected by a cancellation can rebook once free of charge or claim a refund. Schools, hospitals and shops could close or cut staffing, although minimum services will be kept in essential sectors. Separately, a rail drivers' strike by the Semaf union was already disrupting traffic across the biggest cities, and the US Embassy has warned that museums, shops, restaurants and pharmacies may close.

What comes next

The walkout runs for 24 hours from midnight on Wednesday, and marches follow in the late afternoon. The strike was called 24 hours before the official campaign for the 29 November snap election is due to begin.