Spanish and Portuguese trade unions are exploring the possibility of a coordinated "Iberian general strike," according to Unai Sordo, secretary-general of Spain's Comisiones Obreras (CCOO). In an interview with RTVE's "Los Desayunos" program, Sordo confirmed that contacts are underway, with Portuguese unions weighing a strike on the same date as the already-scheduled Spanish stoppage.
The Spanish action, set for 11 November, has been planned for weeks and is backed by the country's two largest labor confederations, CCOO and the Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT). The strike comes just 18 days before snap elections called by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez after parliament rejected government measures to address the housing crisis.
Sordo emphasized that the decision to broaden the strike to Portugal rests with Portuguese labor organizations. "It is up to the Portuguese to decide whether, in the end, we join forces in a mobilisation across the Iberian Peninsula that would also be historic," he said. The CCOO leader added, with a touch of humor, that if the strike goes ahead in Portugal, they would call it the "Saramago strike," a nod to the late Nobel laureate José Saramago, who lived for years in Lanzarote and was deeply tied to progressive causes.
Housing and living costs fuel unrest
The proposed cross-border action reflects growing discontent over housing affordability and the rising cost of living in both countries. In Spain, protests that began in Madrid's Puerta del Sol in late September have drawn thousands of demonstrators, with many camping out overnight in public squares. Similar scenes have unfolded in Portuguese cities such as Porto and Lisbon, where activists have occupied central areas to demand action on rents and wages.
Portugal has seen its own wave of housing protests, with young people and workers struggling to afford homes in urban centers. The country's left-leaning government has faced pressure to intervene, but unions argue that more decisive measures are needed. A joint strike would send a powerful signal that labor movements on both sides of the border are willing to coordinate against what they see as inadequate policy responses.
The idea of an Iberian strike is unprecedented in recent history. While Spanish and Portuguese unions have collaborated on European-level campaigns, a simultaneous general strike would mark a new level of solidarity. Sordo noted that the initiative is still conditional, but the mere possibility has energized labor activists across the peninsula.
Observers point out that the timing is politically sensitive. Spain's election campaign is already underway, and a general strike could influence voter sentiment. In Portugal, the government of Luís Montenegro, a center-right leader, has been in office since April, and unions are keen to test its commitment to social protections.
Both countries are also navigating broader European challenges, including inflation and the aftermath of the energy crisis. The European Central Bank's interest rate hikes have made mortgages more expensive, exacerbating housing shortages. Unions argue that national governments and EU institutions need to prioritize affordable housing as a fundamental right.
If the Portuguese unions confirm their participation, the strike would likely disrupt transport, industry, and public services across the peninsula. Spanish unions have already pledged to bring workers out in large numbers, and the addition of Portuguese counterparts would amplify the message.
For now, all eyes are on Lisbon and Porto, where union federations are expected to make a decision in the coming days. As Sordo put it, the ball is in Portugal's court. The prospect of a coordinated action has already captured the imagination of activists, who see it as a chance to build a broader movement for social justice in Southern Europe.
