SPAIN WILL grind to a halt this morning in a 24-hour general strike affecting transport, factories, hospitals, schools, theatres and even filmsets.
Even the Spanish royal family has cancelled all engagements for today. Not, it was stressed, in support of the strike but “to express neutrality and respect for the two constitutional rights”.
The thousands of grandparents who care for their grandchildren have been asked also to stop work for the day. It is estimated that at least half of Spain’s grandparents take care of their grandchildren for part of each week.
Unions have organised the stoppage to protest against legislation aimed at cutting Spain’s 11 per cent deficit to 6 per cent in 2011. The government plans to reduce public sector wages, freeze pensions and make it easier and cheaper for bosses to cut staff.
The two main trade unions have been planning the general strike – the fifth since democracy – for more than two months with military precision. Special offices have been established to co-ordinate action across the country, print posters and flyers and distribute them to all parts of Spain.
A recent poll showed that almost 58 per cent were against strike action, and only 40 per cent favoured it. But many workers, the self-employed, owners of small businesses and others who oppose the stoppage are afraid to stay at home. Maria, owner of a small gift shop, says she will not open today. “I can’t afford not to, but I have been warned they could smash my windows or put silicone in the locks,” she says.
Guillermo Rivas from Ecuador stacks shelves at night in a supermarket on the outskirts of Madrid where workers have been told they must report for work or their pay will be cut. But there are no buses on the streets, so he will have to walk 40 minutes each way. Lifts will be difficult to come by because few will dare to use their own transport for fear of pickets.
The unions are confident they will paralyse the country and force the government to change policy. Ignacio Toxo, leader of the Workers’ Commission union, had tough words for prime minister José Luis Zapatero: “This government has abandoned the left and adopted neo-liberal policies. If Zapatero wants to take the path towards suicide, we won’t keep him company on his journey.”