National General Strike called in Spain and the Canary Islands over housing crisis
A nationwide general strike has been called in Spain, including the Canary Islands for Wednesday 11th November, with the country's housing crisis at the centre of the mobilisation.
The action comes amid mounting pressure over the cost and availability of housing, particularly for tenants struggling with rising rents and workers who can no longer afford to live close to their places of employment.
Tenants' organisations have been central to the mobilisation, with trade union involvement broadening the potential scale of the action.
For residents and visitors in the Canary Islands, the key issue will be whether participation results in disruption to transport, public services or businesses on the day.
At present, however, specific disruption in the Canary Islands has not been confirmed, meaning travellers should not assume that flights, buses or other services will automatically be affected.
Housing crisis moves into the workplace
The mobilisation reflects an increasingly close relationship between Spain's housing problems and employment.
Trade union leaders argue that access to affordable housing can no longer be regarded solely as a social issue because the cost of accommodation is directly affecting workers and their ability to live near their jobs.
That issue is particularly relevant in areas where rents have increased sharply and available long-term housing has become increasingly difficult to find.
The Canary Islands have experienced many of the same pressures, with housing affordability becoming one of the region's most prominent political and social issues.
Thousands of people have taken part in demonstrations across the archipelago in recent years over housing, tourism development and the rising cost of living.
Unions back November mobilisation
Major Spanish trade unions CCOO and UGT are supporting the mobilisation, alongside tenants' groups and other organisations.
Union leaders have described the action as different from a traditional industrial dispute centred primarily on wages or employment conditions.
Instead, housing is being presented as an issue directly affecting workers' everyday lives and their disposable income.
The mobilisation is also taking place in a politically sensitive period, ahead of Spain's general election scheduled for 29th November.
Housing is expected to be one of the major issues during the election campaign.
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