The nationwide general strike in Spain tomorrow (Wednesday) is expected to hit the transport andpostal sectors heavily, resulting in delivery delays.
Unions have called out the country’s public service and private sector workers to protest at thegovernment’s heavy cuts in public spending and higher VAT. The government has imposed a package ofausterity measures and labour market reforms to cut the country’s heavy budget deficit.
Millions of workers are expected to take to the streets, and unions will be looking for strongsupport from employees of Correos, the public postal operator. However, it is unclear how muchoverall public support there will be for their protests despite an unemployment rate of20%.
In the transport sector, large numbers of flights to, from and within Spain will be cancelled.Iberia, for example, said it expects to operate only 35% of its normal Wednesday schedule. Thegovernment and unions agreed that a minimum of between 20% and 40% of international flights shouldbe operated during the strike.
Spanish express and parcel operators have warned customers that their services will beinevitably affected tomorrow by the strike.
Seur posted a short customer message on its website saying that its services could be affectedby the general strike and apologised for any disruptions.
TNT Express Spain told customers that it respects the right to strike but would not beparticipating in the general strike. “Our intention is to operate as normal but there may beblockade situations due to pickets that prevent us from providing the usual service,” it stated ina message. TNT said it had contingency measures in place to minimise the impact on customers andrecommended customers to send their shipments in advance to avoid the strike day.
