Mallorca housing strike: 45,000 march in Palma

Mallorca’s housing strike brings thousands onto the streets of Palma, Mallorca, on Wednesday 11 November. Unions put the evening march at 45,000 people, while Palma airport records ten cancelled flights.

The march sets off from Plaza de España at about 18.30 and follows the Avenidas and the Rambla to the Born. Almost an hour after it begins, people are still waiting at the square to join it. Earlier, 1,700 people take part in an education-sector march in Palma.

Workers point to pay and housing costs

José Luis García of the CCOO union says wages are not lasting until the end of the month as living and housing costs rise. Celeste Rodríguez, a spokeswoman for Mallorca’s tenants’ union, calls the turnout a success and says the strike is not party-political. Pedro Homar of the UGT union calls on public authorities to find effective solutions.

Ten flights cancelled at Palma airport

Palma airport records seven cancelled arrivals from Madrid, Barcelona and other islands, and three cancelled departures to Madrid, Maó and Eivissa. Earlier in the day, a group briefly stops traffic on Avenida Alexandre Rosselló. National Police then prevent the group from blocking Avenida Adolfo Suárez.

Unions estimate that around 48 per cent of workers across the Balearic Islands have joined the strike by midday. The regional government reports 14.9 per cent in education and 5.8 per cent in healthcare. Employers’ groups, meanwhile, say the day has been largely normal, with minimal disruption to small and medium-sized businesses, hotels and the self-employed.

Topics: Strikes · Protests · Palma

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com