Spain hit by first general strike in 14 years as housing anger boils over

Millions of workers across Spain walked off the job on Wednesday in the country’s first general strike since 2012, protesting soaring rents, low wages and the high cost of living. The 24-hour strike was called by Spain’s two biggest unions, CCOO and UGT, and backed by tenants’ groups and regional unions. According to the unions, around 90% of dockworkers and car workers joined, with full stoppages at Volkswagen’s plant in Navarre and SEAT in Barcelona. Unions said national electricity demand fell by about 10% as heavy industry shut down. Barcelona’s metro ran only at peak hours, and protesters blocked traffic in Madrid with wheelie bins. CCOO said 13 people in Madrid needed medical treatment after police used pepper spray on picket lines, calling it “a disgrace.” Housing is at the heart of the protests. Average rent in Spain is €1,176 a month, almost a young person’s entire average salary, according to the Youth Council of Spain. The Bank of Spain estimates the country is short of about 750,000 homes. Employers’ groups and the opposition People’s Party and Vox opposed the strike, saying it put unjustifiable pressure on voters. Spain holds a snap general election on November 29, after Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s minority government failed to pass housing reforms.