Millions of Spanish workers went on strike Wednesday to protest housing costs, shutting down stores and stalling public transportation in the nation’s first general walkout in 14 years.
Their slogan: “Salaries. Housing. Prices.”
The Associated Press reported that police used pepper spray on some activists who defied rainy weather to block the main streets of Madrid, the kingdom’s capital and largest city.
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Merchants boarded up most storefronts in Barcelona, the second-largest city, in anticipation of violence. The city’s subways opened during rush hour.
Unions organizing the strike reported major work stoppages across the economy as protesters demanded government action ahead of a national election scheduled for Nov. 29.
They said the stoppages affected 90% of car and port workers, 85% of the meat industry, 82% of trash collection and 75% of the energy sector.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, a socialist, scheduled the election earlier than usual amid growing unrest over evictions and public services.
Housing activists have demanded the abolition of high-rent tourist apartments, tighter government regulation of housing, a higher minimum wage and restrictions on real estate speculation and automatic lease renewals.
The conservative Popular Party and far-right Vox have blocked government intervention in the housing market beyond supporting incentivized construction for new homes.
Supporters of the protests note that the average rent in Spain has nearly doubled over the past 10 years, eroding household savings.
One of the protesters was Carlos Ferrer, a 45-year-old customer service worker who, as he departed Barcelona by train, said that sometimes only “radical measures” could lead to change.
“Authorities need to feel pressure from the citizens so they can do something,” Mr. Ferrer told AP.
Additional protests were planned in more than 50 cities and towns throughout the country.
According to Spanish airport operator AENA, 5% of flights on Wednesday were canceled nationwide.
“The strike has exceeded the labor unions’ expectations,” said Unai Sordo, secretary general of CCOO, one of the two unions calling the strike. “It has been a success in terms of turnout.”
Incidents in the first hours of the strike included tire fires at roadblocks in Barcelona, clashes with police on the outskirts of Madrid and widespread closures of schools and universities.
The latest protests build on a strike that teachers started last month to demand better working conditions and on riots sweeping Europe.
• This article is based in part on wire service reports.
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