[Spain] 11N general strike for wages and housing was historic day

In Spain, a historic day has concluded. The 11N general strike for decent housing and wages was the first called by unions in 14 years, ElConstitucional.es reports.

The first pickets began before midnight. In Mercabarna, Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) and the Unión General de Trabajadoras y Trabajadores (UGT) waited at entrances to inform the night shift staff. 

In Madrid, the mobilisation reportedly moved from Puerta del Sol to the waste collection service in Villaverde and to Mercamadrid, where Jóvenes CCOO saw police intervention against their picket. In addition, there were overnight mobilisations in industrial estates in Zaragoza and Murcia and in the centre of Malaga, where a picket ended its route with an assembly in the Plaza de la Constitución.

This was the nation’s first 24-hour general strike called by CCOO and UGT since November 14, 2012, when the strike was directed against the cuts and austerity of Mariano Rajoy's Government. In the intervening years, there have been state-level strikes, including feminist protests, but none have united the two major unions again in a whole-day general strike. 

The initiative for these demonstrations reportedly came from the tenants' movement; its main demand is access to housing.

Unai Sordo - the general secretary of CCOO, in Sol, said, "Young people of Spain, it is your day."

Speaking at his side, Pepe Álvarez - the leader of UGT - said, "There is no salary that can withstand the price of housing." 

Strikers' demands include a new wage agreement with employers and more resources for health, education and dependency care.

The strike was set to last until midnight, with adapted schedules in centres which work in shifts. 

Source: ElConstitucional.es

(Quotes via original reporting)

In Spain, a historic day has concluded. The 11N general strike for decent housing and wages was the first called by unions in 14 years, ElConstitucional.es reports.

The first pickets began before midnight. In Mercabarna, Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) and the Unión General de Trabajadoras y Trabajadores (UGT) waited at entrances to inform the night shift staff. 

In Madrid, the mobilisation reportedly moved from Puerta del Sol to the waste collection service in Villaverde and to Mercamadrid, where Jóvenes CCOO saw police intervention against their picket. In addition, there were overnight mobilisations in industrial estates in Zaragoza and Murcia and in the centre of Malaga, where a picket ended its route with an assembly in the Plaza de la Constitución.

This was the nation’s first 24-hour general strike called by CCOO and UGT since November 14, 2012, when the strike was directed against the cuts and austerity of Mariano Rajoy's Government. In the intervening years, there have been state-level strikes, including feminist protests, but none have united the two major unions again in a whole-day general strike. 

The initiative for these demonstrations reportedly came from the tenants' movement; its main demand is access to housing.

Unai Sordo - the general secretary of CCOO, in Sol, said, "Young people of Spain, it is your day."

Speaking at his side, Pepe Álvarez - the leader of UGT - said, "There is no salary that can withstand the price of housing." 

Strikers' demands include a new wage agreement with employers and more resources for health, education and dependency care.

The strike was set to last until midnight, with adapted schedules in centres which work in shifts. 

Source: ElConstitucional.es

(Quotes via original reporting)