In Spain, trade unions and tenants’ organisations called a nationwide general strike on Wednesday. The protests on 11 November 2026 focus on high Housing costs, wages and social rights. In several cities, there were Road blockades and police operations. The number of employees who took part was initially disputed.
Among those calling the 24-hour walkout were the major trade unions Comisiones Obreras and Unión General de Trabajadores. Other workers’ and tenants’ organisations are also supporting the mobilisation. The strike is aimed at workers in both the public and private sectors.
According to broadcaster RTVE, demonstrators blocked sections of the M-30 urban motorway in Madrid, among other places. The report also said there were road closures in Catalonia. At picket lines in several cities, police used force; RTVE also reported arrests. The situation continued to develop throughout the day.
Trade unions and employers assessed participation differently. The employers’ association CEOE told broadcaster Cadena SER that participation was low in most regions and sectors. Comisiones Obreras put participation in Catalonia at 84 per cent. These figures come from the respective interest groups and cannot be combined into an independent nationwide result.
The protest movement is calling for affordable housing and better protection for tenants. The trade union Unión General de Trabajadores also cites higher wages, progress in Collective bargaining and stronger social and employment rights guarantees as goals. The strike call was registered with the Labour Ministry in October.
Minimum service requirements apply to essential services. For example, an order published in the Spanish Official Gazette stipulates that Electricity supply and the safety of people and facilities must be ensured during the walkout. This does not imply that there is a uniform rule for all sectors.
The general strike takes place shortly before campaigning begins for the Parliamentary election on 29 November. Employers and the opposition criticised the call. According to Cadena SER, the trade unions said the mobilisation had already been planned before Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the dissolution of parliament.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).