Unions have called a general strike (huelga general) in Alicante province for 11 November, according to Alicante Plaza. It is called by CCOO, UGT, Intersindical, CGT and CNT together with housing movements. In Alicante city, the Sindicat d'Inquilines (tenants' union) and residents' unions in the Carolines and Zona Norte districts have also backed the call. CCOO l'Alacantí-Les Marines describes the mobilisation as historic because unions and social movements are united in it, and says other organisations and individuals are joining.
On the day, marches start at 18:00 in Alicante and Elche (Elx). The Alicante march begins at the steps of IES Jorge Juan (a secondary school) and the Elche march at plaza de las Chimeneas. Demonstrations have also been called in Valencia and Castellón. The organisers say they expect a very high level of participation and a mass demonstration.
The reasons given for the strike are pay, housing, prices, working hours and public services. The unions point to rising rents, mortgage costs and the price of the weekly shop. Among the first demands of the 11N platform are unblocking collective bargaining and raising pay. The organisers also want shorter working hours without loss of pay and a cap on the price of essential goods.
On housing, the demands are a cap on rents, an end to touristification and speculation, expropriation of empty flats owned by large landlords, and an urgent increase in affordable public housing. CCOO wants talks to begin on a national collective bargaining agreement, which sets the framework for sector agreements and pay rises. Carmen Palomar, general secretary of the CCOO Vinalopó-Vega Baja inter-district body, gave unblocking collective bargaining, higher pay, shorter working hours, workplace health and safety, and action against job insecurity as her reasons for taking part.
CCOO in the Valencian Community (CCOO PV) cites figures from Spain's Labour Force Survey (EPA) for the third quarter. The number of people in work in the Valencian Community rose by 8,400 to 2.5 million, while the number of unemployed rose by 31,100. The unemployment rate went up from 10.88% to 11.82%. Compared with a year earlier, employment is up by 53,200.
Eva Calleja Risueño of CCOO l'Alacantí-Les Marines says the average wage in Alicante province is almost €9,000 below the Spanish average, and that four in ten wages are below €1,000 a month. By her figures, the province ranks 5th in Spain for GDP but only 42nd of 50 for GDP per head.
The source does not say when the strike starts and ends, what minimum services will apply, how transport, schools and hospitals will run, or what route the marches will take.