700 flights cancelled today whilst politicians debate the success of the General strike

There are widely conflicting opinions about the success of todays activities.

The war of words is underway today, as whilst the government and councils claim that participation in the General strike has been “normal”, the unions describe it as “massive” citing 75-80% participation. The councils which have submitted figures today are: Cartagena council, 22% of staff were on strike, Totana 13%, Murcia 11% and in Aguilas, only 9 of the 270 council employees participated in the strike.

 There have been incidents, as is only to be expected, with bins set on fire in central Murcia and confrontation in Calle Trapería in the centre of Murcia, when members of PAH, the association campaigning against evictions set off to do a walk around the various banks in the capital in protest against the evictions which have been taking place in the Region of Murcia. There was confrontation between police and protestors, with complaints from participants that the forces of law and order had been heavy handed in their approach and that participants were beaten.
Major marches and protests are planned across the country for this evening.

The strike will cost Spain between a billion and one and a half billion euros in lost business transactions today, with most major stores closed by the protestors and public services at a minimum.

Those who participate in the strike will lose a day’s pay, as whilst they have the legal right to strike and protest, their employers are not compelled by law to pay them. Employers are entitled to deduct a day’s salary , plus social security for every worker who strikes today voluntarily, and if a worker is forced to strike because the business chooses to close, then they lose a day’s pay, but their social security contribution is paid for them.
Whilst some businesses have operated as normal today, some sectors have been badly affected, transport amongst them.

Around 700 of the 2322 flights scheduled for today were cancelled by airlines operating in Spanish airports, 473 of those flights relating to Iberia (171), Air Nostrum(150) and Vueling (162). Iberia cancelled the most flights, 72 European, 17 intercontinental and 40 Iberia Express Spanish flights.

The Ministry of development had negotiated minimums with the unions; 10% of interpeninsular flights and 50% between Balearics, Canaries, Ceuta and Melilla, 20% of EU flights and 40% of non EU flights were the minimum service levels agreed for today.
Of the low cost airlines, Ryanair indicated that it would maintain its flight schedules as normal and had not cancelled any flights and Easyjet cancelled 26 flights and re-scheduled 10.

The Economy Minister, Luis de Guindos said today that the government respects the right of every worker to strike, but said that “striking was not the right way to reduce uncertainty.”

Image: PAH Murcia, taken in Plaza Santo Domingo, Murcia.