Strong participation in Spanish general strike

[syndicat]

According to the unions, about 70 percent of workers have participated in the Spanish general strike. Participation is highest in Catalonia and Andalucia. El Pais (liberal daily) described the participation in Barcelona as "massive" -- about 80 percent. CGT describes participation in Andalucia is strong...estimated at 76 percent by the unions. There were large demos in all the towns of Andalucia, including 50,000 in Seville and 20,000 in Malaga. Also large demos in all the towns of Galicia...on the Atlantic coast.

It seems that the longshore workers of the Coordinadora (independent longshore union) are involved because the ports are paralyzed.

According to the CGT, about 90 percent of the stores in working class areas of Barcelona and nearby areas are closed. There have been a number of incidents of police attacks on pickets. A small boy was injured by a police charge on pickets in Valencia. In Barcelona there was a major battle at a vacant bank building occupied since the weekend to support the strike. El Pais describes the occuppiers as "antisistemas" (La Vanguadia calls them "los antisistema") who it tries to differentiate from the unions...altho the CGT in fact has tried to mobilize these social movement groups in its support and CGT banners were on the bank building.

[syndicat]

summary of participation by sector, from El Pais:
Auto factories all closed down.
79 percent of postal workers on strike.
60 percent in public education, 32 percent in private education, 78 percent in universities.
Government employees: varies from 7.5 percent to 44 percent depending on location.
The small business association claims only a small proportion of small businesses closed,
but CGT reports 90 percent closed in working class areas in Barcelona region.
74 percent on strike in metalworking.
65 percent on strike in energy sector.
90 percent on strike at major markets.
80 percent participation in the food industries.
70 percent participation in construction.
83 percent on strike in transport. Most flights cancelled. Few trains running.