Spain: Unions Set a General Strike for November 11; Catalonia Storm Deaths Reach at Least Three

October 8, 2026 — Update to our October 7 story. Spain’s two largest unions have set their general strike for Wednesday, November 11. Yesterday the date was still open. In Catalonia, the public broadcaster reports at least three deaths from this week’s storms, and two commuter lines were restored on Thursday.

The general strike

Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Both unions posted the call on October 7.
Who: CCOO and UGT, jointly. The Local reports that the tenants’ union also backs it.
Why: Wages, housing costs and prices.
Duration: Not stated on the union pages (TBA).
Transport: No minimum-service levels have been set, and we found no statement from Renfe, the airport operator Aena or city transit (TBA).
Context: The Local says it would be Spain’s first general strike since 2012 and falls two days before an election campaign opens. The employers’ federation has hinted at a legal challenge.

Catalonia storms

Deaths: 3Cat reports at least three: a man in a van in a flooded tunnel at Les Franqueses del Vallès, a man in a flooded garage at Montornès del Vallès, and a person killed when a campsite wall collapsed at Tordera. A child is missing in Granollers.
Trains restored: Commuter lines R1 and R4 came back on Thursday. A new infrastructure fault before 8:45 am briefly stopped R1, R2 Sud, R4 and southern regional trains.
Still disrupted: On the R2 Nord airport line, buses replace trains between Granollers Centre and Sant Celoni. Line R11 is still cut.
Wednesday night: Streets flooded in Llançà and Cadaqués on the northern Costa Brava.
Forecast: Thursday is the last unsettled day, with storms possible around Barcelona by night. Friday is dry.
Barcelona airport: No new cancellations reported.

What it means for travelers

November 11: Avoid arriving in or leaving Spain that day if you have a choice. A general strike can hit trains, metros, airport transport and flights. Minimum-service levels will be set closer to the date.
Flying around November 11? Travel a day or two either side. Cancelled flights push passengers onto the ones that run.
Barcelona this week: The airport train is running to Granollers. Keep the Aerobús or metro line L9 Sud as a backup.
Day trips in Catalonia: Check Rodalies before you go. Ground is saturated and some lines are still cut.
Train tickets for November 11: Wait for Renfe’s strike notice before changing plans. It usually sets out refunds and exchanges.