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News, December 2010General Strike, 29th SeptemberThe first general strike under the Zapatero presidency took place on September 29th. Travel to or within Spain on 29th September was significantly affected, together with ports and industry, especially car builders. Ryanair cancelled all flights at Palma, but other airlines worked more or less normally, albeit with delays. Government offices were also hit, together with schools, hospitals, etc.. Particularly in Madrid and other major cities. Most smaller places continued to work as normal. But it was reported that many fresh food shops and the central wholesale market in Madrid ran out of food the previous night as individuals stocked up! This strike, against a labour reform which will make it slightly cheaper to fire workers and thus encourage businesses to take on new staff, particularly affects transport. Nevertheless, most workers are unconvinced about their cause, so many services are 'as usual'. No one believes the strike will change the resolve of the government. Besides, young would-be workers, a 'lost generation' of youth, have successfully been pitted against unionised boomers who have built up job protection to become too expensive to fire until they retire. More: |