For Wednesday, 11 November 2026, have UGT and CCOO together with the Sindicato de Inquilinas called a 24-hour general strike. The action is directed against the housing crisis and calls for stronger public services and wage rises to restore purchasing power. The Government has ordered minimum service levels in advance to safeguard essential supplies.
Legal framework: In the Boletín Oficial del Estado the Orden TED/1180/2026 of 5 November set minimum operating levels for critical areas of the energy supply sector. The aim is to ensure security of supply and public order during the stoppage without restricting the right to strike. For rail transport, Renfe has published additional requirements for minimum services, which include maintaining certain commuter and long-distance services at reduced levels.
Employees’ rights and duties: The right to strike is protected by the constitution. Employees are generally not required to notify their employer in advance of their participation; separate notification requirements may arise only from clearly defined workplace procedures, for example where emergency duties have already been assigned. Participation in a lawfully called strike may not be subject to disciplinary sanctions. As a rule, pay is reduced proportionately for the working time lost on the strike day. Social security contributions are also governed by the applicable rules: contributions are generally not payable for time not worked; any subsequent payments or adjustments depend on collective agreements or workplace agreements. Anyone assigned to minimum services must perform them; failure to comply with lawfully ordered emergency staffing may have employment-law consequences.
Demands and context: According to the organisations calling the strike, the main demands are an expansion of the public housing stock, rent caps, stronger protection against evictions, and collective agreements delivering substantial wage increases. The demands are addressed to the government, the autonomous communities and local authorities, as well as employers.
Possible consequences: Significant disruption to passenger transport and some supply services is expected on the strike day, depending on the extent to which minimum services apply. Politically, the mobilisation increases pressure for short-term relief on rents, more social housing in the medium term, and negotiations to address inflation-related losses of income. Whether and how quickly negotiations make progress will depend largely on participation on 11 November 2026 and the willingness to engage in talks afterwards.
Editor: Daniel Mayer (Article created with AI assistance).