Catalan business associations reported a low general strike turnout on Wednesday, contrasting sharply with union figures claiming an 84 percent participation rate across the region.
Conflicting Turnout Figures
Trade unions CCOO and UGT said that the general strike on November 11 reached 84 percent in Catalonia, factoring in morning and night shifts after accounting for minimum services.
The unions reported 100 percent participation across public and private universities, 92 percent in the automotive sector and industrial transport, and 80 percent in meat processing plants. Belén López, general secretary of CCOO in Catalonia, told Ara.cat that the region had successfully halted production, commerce, industry, transport, and education.
In contrast, business associations released substantially lower estimates. Cecot, an association based in the Vallès region, reported that 75 percent of companies were able to maintain their productive activity with normality, while 22.1% could maintain it partially and 2.9% could not maintain their habitual activity.
Cecot observed “a limited and unequal incidence, with a generally low turnout among the workforces, but with broader operational effects mainly motivated by mobility problems, road closures, logistical difficulties and preventive measures adopted by companies”.
Electricity Demand Drops
Power grid operator Red Eléctrica recorded a national electricity demand of 31,444 megawatts at 12:00 p.m. local time on Wednesday, representing a 12.72 percent decrease compared to 36,027 megawatts on the previous Wednesday. Unai Sordo, general secretary of CCOO, stated on TVE that energy consumption mirrored Sunday levels, indicating a substantial industrial stoppage.
Antonio Garamendi, president of the CEOE business federation, told Tele 5 that the drop in electricity demand hovered around 10 percent, which he noted sat well below the 14 percent decline seen during the last general strike. Garamendi characterized the industrial action as a political and official strike called by the government.
Transport Disruptions and Incidents
The mobility has been complicated across the road network, with over 50 incidents detected on roads throughout the territory, particularly affecting major routes such as the AP-7, A-2, and C-58.
The regional government recorded a 45 percent drop in outbound traffic from the Barcelona metropolitan area—totaling 65,000 fewer vehicles—and a 52 percent decrease in inbound traffic, representing 87,000 fewer vehicles compared to the previous year. The minimum services established were generally met by most public transport operators.
The emergency service 112 received 878 calls regarding 494 strike-related incidents. Police arrested one person in Barcelona for public order disturbances, and six mossos d’esquadra sustained minor injuries during an intervention on the B-23 highway in Molins de Rei.
Healthcare services functioned normally despite sectoral participation
Healthcare providers reported that essential services were functioning normally, with a 6.9 percent staff participation rate across SISCAT health entities, according to information provided by 64% of the health provider entities. The Medical Emergency System treated two pedestrians struck by vehicles near picketing sites in Tarragona and Reus, with one victim transferred to Joan XXIII Hospital in a less serious state.
In education, more than 19,000 teachers participated, accounting for 21.9 percent of staff, while university student participation exceeded 80 percent. Public administration staff registered a 12.6 percent participation rate across the Administration of the Generalitat.
What sectors and services experienced the strike impact?
What sectors experienced the highest production stoppages?
The unions reported 100 percent participation at public and private universities, 92 percent in automotive and industrial transport, 80 percent in meat processing, 90 percent in road services, 80 percent in services and hospitality, and 72 percent in local administration.
How did public transport operate during the strike?
Most public transport operators met minimum service requirements, though more than 50 road incidents occurred and traffic decreased around Barcelona.
What were the primary points of contention between unions and employers?
Unions claimed an 84 percent strike participation rate, while business associations reported a generally low turnout among workforces, noting that operational effects were mainly motivated by mobility problems, road closures, and logistical difficulties.
Regional authorities are monitoring transport normalization as the strike ends, while employers assess operational impacts.
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