General Strike in Spain
Three police vans monitored a pre-dawn gathering of fewer than 60 people at Plaza Castilla as Spain faced a new national strike, libertaddigital.com reported.
Labor unions CCOO and UGT called the 24-hour national work stoppage to demand changes regarding housing, wages, declining purchasing power, and working conditions. The last general strike in the country occurred 14 years ago.
Union members from CCOO and UGT gathered alongside a group of younger demonstrators at the Plaza Castilla transport hub. Demonstrators chanted slogans including “we need a general strike now,” “you who are watching are also being robbed,” and “whoever doesn’t bounce is a rentier.”
Some participants formed a circle on the ground with UGT flags and chanted “don’t look at us, join us,” while others circled them in a conga line. Commuters arriving at the hub bypassed the demonstrators quickly during the morning rush.
Commuters leave early as police conduct identity checks
Commuters had departed homes hours earlier than usual due to “fear of not getting to work.”
“This people is pathetic. I used to hear my parents or grandparents say that UGT was in favor of the people. Now it is bought, it is pathetic,” Susana told libertaddigital.com.
“We came two hours early,” a traveler told libertaddigital.com after leaving home at 4:30 a.m. to reach a job in Tres Cantos by 7:00 a.m.
National Police officers conducted identification checks on several young individuals dressed predominantly in black near the entrance. The checks concluded without incident, after which the youths exchanged chants with nearby union members.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did labor unions call this national strike?
Labor organizations including CCOO and UGT organized the 24-hour work stoppage over disputes concerning housing, wages, declining purchasing power, and working conditions across Spain.
How did security forces respond at Plaza Castilla?
National Police and municipal officers deployed three police vans and a municipal vehicle to monitor early morning gatherings. Officers also performed identity checks on a group of young individuals near the transport interchange without reported incidents.
What specific demands did demonstrators chant during the protest?
Demonstrators at the Plaza Castilla transport hub shouted slogans demanding a general strike, accusing onlookers of being robbed, and chanting phrases targeting rentiers.
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