Millions of Spanish Workers Strike, Disrupting Transport and Industry Ahead of General Election

Millions of Spanish workers participated in a nationwide general strike, causing significant disruption to transport, industry, and public services. This is the first such industrial action in Spain in 14 years, occurring less than three weeks before the country's general election.

Organised by Spain's two largest trade unions, the UGT and CCOO, the strike primarily targeted the government's contentious labour reforms. These reforms, passed by the Socialist Party administration, have been criticised for making it easier for employers to dismiss workers and reduce wages, alongside broader austerity programmes impacting public sector employment and services.

Reports indicate widespread closures of shops and businesses in major urban centres like Madrid and Barcelona. Public transport services, including buses and metro lines, operated on a reduced schedule, with many commuters facing significant delays or opting for alternative travel arrangements. Industrial output, particularly in manufacturing, also saw substantial reductions as workers joined picket lines.

The unions are demanding a reversal of the government's economic policies, arguing that the measures disproportionately affect ordinary workers while failing to address Spain's high unemployment rate. The timing of the strike is intended to exert pressure on political parties ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, where the economy and labour policies are central campaign issues.