Spanish Trade Unions Announce General Strike for Housing and Wage Increases on November 11

• Major Spanish trade unions have officially scheduled a general strike for November 11 to demand better access to housing and increased wages.
• The mobilization seeks to bridge the gap between housing advocacy movements and workplace labor struggles, highlighting the inability of workers to afford housing with current salaries.

Participants and Rationale

• The strike is supported by large unions including CCOO, UGT, and CGT, along with regional and independent unions such as LAB, ELA, ESK, CIG, and Intersindical Alternativa de Catalunya.
• The initiative follows the recent death of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, who was evicted after living in her home for 71 years, bringing significant media attention to the housing crisis.

Key Demands

• Housing: Rent controls, a ban on evictions, and the repurposing of properties held by Sareb for social housing.
• Wages: Significant salary increases to combat inflation and restore purchasing power.
• Policy: A shift in public policy toward prioritizing the right to a home over the profitability of landlords and investment funds.

Organizational Strategy

• Unions are actively moving the conflict into workplaces by encouraging workers to form support committees and conduct assemblies.
• The goal is to move beyond directive-led protests and build grassroots momentum that forces political parties and the private sector to address the rising cost of living and stagnant wages.