On 11 November, a nationwide 24-hour strike took place in Spain. Participants called for better working conditions, higher wages, more affordable housing and stronger public services. Demonstrations and pickets were held in different parts of the country. While the protests were peaceful in some cities, others saw road blockades, police intervention and arrests.

Torrevieja and Orihuela

In Torrevieja, the main demonstration took place at 12:00 at Constitution Square. According to estimates by local media, more than 500 people attended. The participants included teachers, students, pensioners and young people.

The demonstrators raised issues including wages, access to housing, the state of public services and the need for investment in infrastructure. Some shops, particularly large national chains, remained closed during the day.

Torrevieja's municipal bus service operated under the established minimum-service schedule: approximately 80% of normal service during peak hours and 70% during the rest of the day.

In Orihuela, a demonstration was held at midday in Carmen Square, in front of the Town Hall. No exact attendance figures were provided.

What happened in Alicante

The most tense incidents in the provincial capital took place in the morning.

On Avenida de la Universidad, one of the main routes into the city from the A-70 motorway, participants in a picket blocked traffic. The National Police intervened to clear the road. According to media reports and statements from protest participants, several people suffered bruises and minor injuries.

Another incident took place on Avenida de Dénia. A man and a woman were arrested in two separate police operations. Both left the police station around midday after giving statements. The man was accused of allegedly assaulting a public official; the woman was summoned to a fast-track hearing over alleged disobedience and refusal to identify herself. These are accusations, not facts established by a court.

Pickets also took place at municipal-service and logistics facilities. In the Pla de la Vallonga industrial area, protesters hindered the departure of waste collection trucks operated by Netial. At the Amazon DQV2 logistics centre in the Llano del Espartal area, the movement of some trucks was temporarily delayed until police arrived. A picket was also held outside the Masatusa bus depot.

A major demonstration was scheduled for the evening in Alicante. Several groups from different neighbourhoods were expected to meet near IES Jorge Juan and continue via Luceros Square, Avenida de Alfonso el Sabio and Rambla de Méndez Núñez. At the time this report was prepared, no confirmed final account was available on the conclusion of the march, the number of participants or any incidents during the procession itself.

The strike in other parts of Spain

Events varied across the country during the day.

In Madrid, participants in a picket blocked access to the Mercamadrid wholesale market. Police used pepper spray during their intervention. According to media reports, at least 13 people required medical assistance, and one arrest was also reported. Near the EMT bus depot in the Carabanchel district, eight people sustained minor injuries following police intervention.

In Catalonia, pickets led to road closures on several routes, including sections of the A-2, AP-7 and Barcelona's Ronda Litoral. Access to industrial and logistics facilities, including Mercabarna and port infrastructure, was also disrupted. There were reports of burning tyres near Mercabarna. However, the evening demonstration in central Barcelona took place without serious incidents.

In Málaga, police intervened near bus depots and logistics facilities. Four arrests were reported in connection with the burning of rubbish containers. In Granada, arrests took place during pickets near the Alhambra complex; after police intervention, the site reopened to visitors.

In the Basque Country, arrests of picket participants and road closures were reported. In Valladolid, pickets hindered the departure of waste collection trucks. Clashes involving police were also reported near bus depots in Madrid and Málaga.

According to figures released during the day, the number of people arrested across Spain exceeded 40, while the number of recorded incidents reached several hundred. These figures should be regarded as a provisional national tally rather than final statistics.

Different estimates of strike participation

Estimates of the scale of the strike differed considerably. The CCOO and UGT trade unions reported significant worker participation and described the action as successful. The employers' organisation CEV estimated participation in Alicante province at around 2.5%, while the unions put the figure at approximately 60%.

Data for individual sectors published by the Generalitat Valenciana also showed varying levels of participation. At 13:00, the estimated strike participation in Alicante province was 13.09% among teaching staff, 3% in healthcare, 8.47% in the judicial administration and 5% in the TRAM tram service.

These figures cannot be directly compared without considering the calculation methods, the sectors covered and the source of the data. Union estimates reflect the position of the strike organisers, while employers' figures represent the position of business associations.

Transport and everyday life

The strike affected transport services in different parts of the country. According to figures published by Renfe, approximately 24% of commercial AVE and long-distance trains were cancelled nationwide, along with around 10.2% of commuter and regional rail services.

Flight cancellations were also reported at Spanish airports. According to Aena, one of the updates published during the day recorded 263 cancelled flights across the country. At Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport, eight of the 236 scheduled flights were cancelled.

In several Spanish cities, public transport and the operations of some businesses continued under minimum-service arrangements.

National overview of the day

The 11 November strike unfolded differently across Spain, ranging from large but peaceful demonstrations to incidents involving road blockades, police use of crowd-control measures, injuries and arrests. At the same time, several evening marches, including the one in Barcelona, took place without serious incidents. In Andalusia, some planned demonstrations were cancelled or modified because of adverse weather conditions associated with the approaching Storm Charles.

For residents of the Vega Baja area, the day was marked primarily by the demonstrations in Torrevieja and Orihuela, as well as the morning incidents in Alicante. The full impact of the strike on different sectors and regions will become clearer once the complete data are published.

Editorial position

Our task is to inform readers about events without encouraging them either to support or to oppose those taking part in the strike. We believe it is important to report calmly and accurately on the demands of different social groups, the responses of the authorities, employers and trade unions, and the consequences for residents. The focus should remain on people's living conditions, access to basic necessities and the possibility of resolving social issues peacefully, with respect for the rights and interests of all sides.