Participation in public services ranged from 31% in central government to 50% in teaching. The 11 November 2026 action, Spain’s first nationwide general strike in 14 years, was called by the country’s largest unions, CCOO and UGT, over the housing-affordability crisis. Reuters reported that about 4 million workers took part, roughly one-fifth of the workforce. The tenants’ union expected participation to reach 5 million by the end of the day. A 40dB survey for EL PAÍS and Cadena SER found that 23% of employed respondents planned to strike. Another 36.3% said they would not, while 22.4% supported the action but would not participate and 10.3% were undecided.
The meat industry recorded the highest figure, at 95%. Ports reached 90%, a rate also recorded in security and automotive. Reuters reported total stoppages at Volkswagen’s plant in Navarre and SEAT’s Barcelona facility. Preliminary union estimates put meat-industry participation at 85%, waste collection at 82% and energy at 75%; subsequent sectoral figures placed meat at 95%. Rail and communications each registered 85%. Municipal solid-waste collection followed at 82%, the steel and metal industry at 80%, and the chemical-textile and leather industry at 75%.
Air transport reached 70%. Energy recorded 65%, a rate matched by construction and mining. Hospitality and tourism stood at 61.9%, while commerce registered 60%. The unions also reported that electricity demand fell by 10% during the strike, alongside interruptions in energy-intensive production. Union leaders expected participation to vary by region, with stronger support in coastal areas facing sharper housing pressures.
Among public services, health and social care recorded 38%. Participation stood at 35.54% in local government, 34.2% in regional government and 31% in the central state administration. The postal sector reached 35.04%. Renfe reported participation of 6.83% among workers on night and morning shifts. Minimum-service requirements kept some transport and essential public services operating.
Financial services, insurance and offices recorded 50.09%, compared with 25.4% in banking. The figures add detail to an earlier CCOO assessment, which anticipated uneven workplace participation. The unions reported particularly high participation in industry, including automotive and logistics, as well as in energy and port facilities. Employers’ associations, meanwhile, said most sectors were operating normally. CEOE estimated participation at 10% in Madrid, 5% in Castilla-La Mancha and 2.6% in the Valencian Community.
The account also describes demonstrations across the country as drawing millions of workers, including a march in Madrid. Reuters reported that the day was largely peaceful, before clashes later in parts of Barcelona and Madrid. CCOO Secretary General Unai Sordo said the strike had exceeded union expectations and had been a success in terms of turnout.
