Spanish unions UGT and CCOO agreed on Monday to call a 24-hour general strike this autumn to protest the housing crisis, aligning with the Sindicato de Inquilinas and other social organizations. The strike, timed before the Nov. 29 general election, follows Congress’s rejection last Friday of two government housing decrees and weeks of protests, including a Barcelona march on Monday that drew tens of thousands according to organizers.

The unions framed the stoppage as a demand for wages sufficient to access decent housing, linking salary growth to rising rents. UGT and CCOO said the exact date would be set with the tenants’ union and other groups, aiming to mobilize workers across sectors .

In Barcelona, the Sindicat de Llogateres and allied groups led a demonstration that police estimated at 20,000, while organizers claimed 120,000. The march, initially planned for Saturday, was postponed due to severe weather. After the protest, clashes erupted near Plaça de Catalunya, with police charging after bottles and chairs were thrown, and activists burning about 10 trash containers .

Business groups CEOE and Cepyme condemned the strike on Tuesday, calling it “inadmissible” and legally questionable, arguing housing policy falls outside labor disputes. They vowed legal action once a formal date is set .