Politics · Spain · 13 hrs ago
Spain faces an unusual general strike over housing costs
Spain’s general strike is set for November 11 and is expected to affect workplaces and public life.
It was prompted by a tenants’ movement demanding action on housing costs, then formally called by the major unions, CC OO and UGT.
The campaign followed protests after Maricarmen Abascal, 87, was evicted from her home and died 15 days later.
The last general strike in Spain was in 2012, and this one is unusual because it focuses mainly on housing rather than workplace issues.
The unions expect strong participation at major companies, including Seat’s car plant in Martorell, but turnout elsewhere is uncertain.
High housing costs are the central concern, especially in cities where finding an affordable home is difficult.
Remote work may make participation harder to measure, and employers differ on whether staff should work from home that day.
Spain is due to hold a 24-hour general strike on November 11 over difficulties accessing housing.
The strike grew out of a campaign by the Tenants’ Union and was later backed by the major unions CC.OO. and UGT.
It is an unusual call because the unions say it is not focused on traditional workplace issues.
The campaign gained momentum after the eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, who died 15 days later.
Unions expect stronger participation in cities where housing costs are especially high, while employers have predicted the strike will fail.
- Who
- The Tenants’ Union initiated the call, and CC.OO. and UGT joined it.
- What
- A 24-hour general strike over housing affordability and access.
- When
- November 11; the articles describe it as taking place the following Wednesday.
- Where
- Spain, with unions expecting stronger support in cities including Barcelona, Madrid, València, Sevilla and Málaga.
- Why
- To demand solutions to the housing crisis and highlight its effect on people’s incomes and ability to work.
Unions and Tenants’ Union
Employers and Alberto Núñez Feijóo
Purpose
Unions and Tenants’ Union
The unions and Tenants’ Union say the strike is a response to housing difficulties and wider social demands.
Employers and Alberto Núñez Feijóo
Employers consider the strike political and lacking business-related content; Feijóo has asked unions to call it off.
Expected impact
Unions and Tenants’ Union
Union leaders expect participation to grow, especially in areas where housing is most strained.
Employers and Alberto Núñez Feijóo
Employers forecast failure.
Spain held its previous general strike, against cuts by Mariano Rajoy’s government.
Protests took place in several parts of the country, and the unions say the demonstrations helped prompt the strike call.
Spain is due to hold the 24-hour general strike.
- Duration
- 24 hours
- Strike date
- November 11
- Unions backing the call
- CC.OO. and UGT
- Initiating group
- Sindicato de Inquilinas (Tenants’ Union)
- Maricarmen Abascal
- 87 years old; died 15 days after being evicted
- Last general strike
- 2012
3 sources
España ante el 11-N: las incógnitas de una huelga general inédita
Motivos y riesgos de una huelga general atípica que pretende marcar “un antes y un después”
What people are saying
I think this will be the first time I cannot join a picket. I would like to.
General strikes are not called against someone who is not in government.
The strike will go between well and very well, especially in those areas where housing is most strained.
The price of housing eats up the wages of many people and creates a very significant divide, even if it is asymmetric both territorially and generationally.