Spain’s widespread strike disrupts transport as workers and students march in the streets

THE SCHEDULED general strike and partial walkout in Spain on Wednesday, October 15, open to all workers and students, has caused minimum transport services across the country and the stalling of some services. The strike, which stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people, continues as planned despite the peace agreement signed between Hamas and Israel on Monday, October 13.

A mass strike to sever Spanish ties with Israel

Labour unions including the Comisiones Obreras (CC OO) and the Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT) have organised the strikes, each lasting two hours in three time slots: from 2:00am to 4:00am; from 10:00am to 12:00pm; and from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. The CGT union, on the other hand, has called a 24-hour strike. All workers have a right to participate in the strike (though the day will be unpaid) and students cannot be penalised for their absence.

The strike, despite being announced fairly late, has already garnered much support across Spain. More than 500 workplace union branches, as well as approximately 50 social and labour organisations have joined in the cause. According to the organisers, the protest aims to halt the “international complicity with the attacks on Gaza” and to demand “an end to the massacre and the severing of ties with Israel.”

Protests are kicking up in major Spanish cities and hubs including Malaga, Marbella, the Basque Country, Madrid, and Barcelona.

Transport and other services affected all across Spain

In the city of Malaga, railway companies Adif and Renfe, as well as unions at major Spanish banks BBVA, Caixabank, and Banco Santander are all taking part. Unions at large companies including Primark, Inditex stores, Iberia, and Aena are participating as well. In addition, a general rally for Palestine will take place after the scheduled strike ends at 7:00pm at the Plaza de la Constitución.

In Malaga, several hundreds of passengers were affected by the stalled transport during rush hour, but buses and EMT services in the city were operating relatively normally. Renfe is also alerting passengers of any cancellations through WhatsApp communications and their various platforms.

High-speed trains (including the AVE and long-distance trains) are also being affected; the Ministry of Transport has stated that 73 per cent of their trains will be operating throughout the day.

It should be noted that, in Malaga, relatively few trains have been cancelled and those that did arrive were operating normally. Additionally, there were significantly fewer passengers because many students and workers were out participating in the strike. 

Other cities, however, have seen their transport interrupted or completely stalled due to the mass protest. In Barcelona, for example, the service was reduced to about 66 per cent, affecting the Rodalies services, the metro, the buses, the TRAMS, and the FGC trains. Madrid has also seen a dramatic cut for its transport: 80 per cent of their trains running at the busiest hour, 50 per cent in the off-peak hour, and minimum services.

Health and educational institutions affected; directors and essential workers staying behind

The strikes have also affected health and educational institutions. While many employees are exercising the right to participate in the strike with no threat of sanctions, management teams (including directors, heads of studies, secretariats, and more), are continuing to work. Emergency services in hospitals will be functioning as normal. Essential surgeries and hospital care that cannot wait have been guaranteed. In out-of-hospital care centres, normal services will be provided with at least 25 per cent of the staff working.

Strike to continue into the evening

Approximately 200 demonstrations are and will continue to be widespread during the day, ending with organised rallies in the evening.

“No plan can be considered a lasting peace if it excludes the Palestinian people, if it perpetuates the occupation or if it ignores UN resolutions. It is more necessary than ever to mobilise in the workplaces on 15 October,” state the CC OO and the UGT organisations, as part of their manifesto.

Additional strikes by labour unions have been scheduled for October 30, this time to protest the stagnant public sector salaries.

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