The president of the far-right Vox, Santiago Abascal, has demanded that the unions call off the general strike scheduled for November 11 and has issued a warning to them ahead of the general elections on November 29. If they maintain the strike, he said, his party "will take note" in the event of a political change in Spain.
The words of the far-right leader, spoken this Tuesday in an interview on Telecinco's 'El programa de AR', are directed against the General Union of Workers (UGT) and Workers' Commissions (CCOO). Both organizations are among those calling for a mobilization demanding measures regarding housing prices, wage improvements, and the strengthening of public services.
"They should have a minimum of shame," said Abascal, who believes that the strike "makes no sense" because, he argues, it is directed against the opposition. He then warned that, if the unions do not suspend it, "we will take note if there is a change of cycle in Spain."
The leader of the far-right Vox has not specified what measures that warning would entail. His party has for years advocated for the elimination of subsidies to unions and has promoted cuts in regional governments shared with the PP.
Abascal attacks the November 11 strike
The November 11 call comes after weeks of protests over access to housing and also brings together other trade union organizations and social groups. Its promoters demand that wages allow people to face the cost of living, reduce precariousness, and guarantee access to housing.
Abascal dismissed these demands by presenting the mobilization as a strike "against the opposition." To support this interpretation, he referred to statements by socialist leader María Jesús Montero, who linked the call to the parliamentary rejection of housing measures.
The unions have explained that the strike responds to labor and social problems, including the burden of rent on wages and the need to strengthen public services. The call was registered before the Urda train accident, which occurred on October 28.
The leader of the far-right Vox has also accused UGT and CCOO of acting as "ideological unions, of a Marxist and communist bent" and of responding to interests other than those of the workers. He has also maintained that, if there is a change of Government after 29N, they will resort to "intimidation and pressure in the streets".
In the same interview, Abascal has linked this statement to the disturbances registered in some of his party's pre-campaign events and has attributed their organization to the Executive. He has not provided evidence to support this accusation against the Government.
Freedom of association and the right to strike are recognized in article 28 of the Constitution, which protects the right of workers to mobilize in defense of their interests and provides guarantees to maintain essential community services.
Feijóo asks to cancel the strike and the unions respond
Abascal's warning comes on the same day that the president of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has asked the unions to reconsider the strike after the railway tragedy in Urda, Toledo. The popular leader has stated that he respects the right to strike, but considers it a "serious mistake" to maintain the call at this time.
UGT and CCOO have rejected his request and maintain the strike. The general secretary of UGT, Pepe Álvarez, has considered Feijóo's approach "insulting" and has recalled that the protest includes among its objectives the defense of public services and investment in infrastructure.
For his part, the general secretary of CCOO, Unai Sordo, has questioned how these services would be strengthened if the PP governed with a party that proposes a strong tax cut. The issue is also important for 29N, as Feijóo has not ruled out an agreement with the far-right Vox if he needs their votes to reach La Moncloa.
From Podemos, Irene Montero responded this Tuesday to the leader of the PP during a visit to Galicia. "Thanks to strikes we have rights. Mr. Feijóo too," said the candidate, who called for a "massive" mobilization for housing and wages.
The offensive of the far-right Vox against the majority unions has precedents in the communities where it has governed. In Castilla y León, during a period of coalition with the PP, the Junta reduced aid to unions and employers' associations. The High Court of Justice of Castilla y León later ruled in favor of UGT and CCOO in their appeals against the withdrawal of these subsidies.
Abascal's party also has an allied union, Solidaridad, promoted with its support. This Tuesday, Vox's spokesperson in Congress, Pepa Rodríguez de Millán, again attacked UGT and CCOO and called for support for the railway engineers' strikes after the Urda accident.
