Spain on Wednesday, Nov. 11, witnessed its first general strike in 14 years jointly backed by the country's two largest trade unions, UGT and CCOO. Workers began gathering from midnight, with demonstrations, picket lines and road blockades reported across the country. The strike's main slogan was, 'salaries, vivenda y prceios' (Salaries. Housing. Prices.)
The unions called the 24-hour strike to demand greater government intervention in the housing market, better wages and action on the rising cost of living. Workers from several sectors, including automobile manufacturing, ports, meat processing, waste collection and energy, took part. The unions reported particularly high early participation in some sectors, although the level of participation varied across industries.
Spain has seen a steep rise in housing costs over the past decade. The average rent has almost doubled in ten years, according to reports, while official rental data show an increase from €5.80 per square metre per month in 2015 to €8.20 in 2024. The pressure is especially severe for younger workers, according to Spain's National Statistics Institute recorded an average gross monthly wage of €1,372.80 for employees under 25 in 2024.
Comienza la #HuelgaGeneral11N y con ello las cargas policiales con gases lacrimógenos incluidos. La diferencia entre los que pegan y los que luchan, es que los primeros defienden los derechos de la clase trabajadora y los segundos son clase trabajadora al servicio del poder https://t.co/wj7Wb50ABk
— Maica Travesa 🐈🐱🐾 (@Iratxotravesa) November 11, 2026
The protests have also been fuelled by public anger over the televised eviction of an 87-year-old woman, Maricarmen, from her home in Madrid in Sept. She later died, and her case became a symbol of the housing crisis and the difficulties faced by tenants.
The unions and housing activists are demanding stronger tenant protections, action against property speculation and limits on tourist apartments. UGT and CCOO are also seeking a new minimum-wage agreement and greater government involvement in addressing housing affordability.
The government's housing proposals have faced opposition from conservative and far-right parties, which argue that intervention could reduce the supply of rental properties. The rejection of emergency housing measures in Parliament has added to the political dispute.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced a snap general election on Oct 5, with voting scheduled for Nov 29. His government hopes to put the housing crisis at the centre of the election debate. However, opposition parties have accused the unions of turning the strike into a political exercise ahead of the vote.
The government has also faced criticism following two deadly railway accidents this year, which killed 115 people in total. The latest crash, which killed 69, has intensified scrutiny of railway safety and infrastructure and become another issue for the opposition to raise against Sánchez's government.
🇪🇸 #Catalonia : Demonstrations are taking place across #Barcelona and other cities today as workers join a region-wide general strike. https://t.co/yQuE2532z6
— World_Breaking_News03 (@Breaking2003) November 11, 2026
The strike has already seen confrontations in several locations. In Barcelona, protesters blocked access roads and burned tyres near Mercabarna, the city's wholesale market. In Madrid, police intervened at Mercamadrid after tensions with pickets. One person was arrested, and 13 people were reported to have received medical attention. Police action and reports of pepper spray were also recorded at other picket lines. Many have said that if the protests turn violent, it could sway public opinion in the opposite direction, while the right-wing supporters say that this is the first time they've seen a general strike taking place that is supposed to criticise the opposition in the government
The strike comes less than three weeks before the Nov 29 election. Whether the protests will shift public opinion, and how voters respond to the housing crisis, wages and railway safety at the ballot box, remains to be seen.
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