AI-generated illustration

Spain's two largest labor unions, Workers' Commissions (CCOO) and the General Union of Workers (UGT), have agreed to hold a 24-hour nationwide strike this autumn over the country's housing crisis. Their joint announcement backs a call from the Confederation of Tenants' Unions.

The strike date will be set after consultations with tenant groups and other civil society organizations. The unions also endorsed street protests in Madrid and other cities. They demanded wage increases of 4% to 7% and called for social and political consensus on pay.

The unions presented a 10-point housing plan proposing a permanent stock of protected public housing, rent controls and effective implementation of the Right to Housing Law across all regions. They said workers need both access to housing and decent wages to afford it.

After parliament rejected two housing decrees, the cabinet decided at an extraordinary meeting today to dissolve parliament and hold early general elections on November 29. The strike is expected before the vote. Government sources said the minority left-wing coalition would approve a single revised decree tomorrow, retaining measures to ban forced evictions until 2030, extend rental contracts through December 31, 2028, and regulate tourist and seasonal rentals and high-risk property investment firms.

Key Takeaways

• CCOO and UGT agreed to a 24-hour autumn strike, with the date still pending.
• The unions seek 4%–7% wage increases, rent controls and permanent public housing.
• Early elections are scheduled for November 29 following parliament's rejection of two housing decrees.