Truck drivers announce indefinite strike from November 14

Truck drivers across Spain have announced they will go on strike indefinitely from November 14. 

The Platform for the Defense of the Road Transport Sector already held a strike earlier this year over rising costs and "insufficient" measures to help the sector that was "temporarily" called off in the spring.

The platform made the announcement on Monday in defense of "millions" of jobs for truckers.

With 86% of votes in favor, members of the organization decided to begin a new Spain-wide strike.

"They are asking us for time to make some changes that we have been asking for for a long time. What we don't have is time," the platform's spokesperson, Manuel Hernández, said in a press conference. "Every day that passes, family tragedies happen. Cases of suicide are occurring," he added. 

The haulers association also pointed out that their strike action has the support of other sectors, such as livestock and agriculture, also feeling the effects of soaring prices.

"The administration must react quickly, be responsible and avoid what is to come," warned Hernández.

According to him, more than 200 self-employed people and small transport companies close permanently every month.

Minister asks for "responsibility"

Shortly before the assembly of the platform, Spain's minister for transport, Raquel Sánchez, asked for "responsibility" from the truck drivers to avoid another stoppage in the sector.

In an interview with TVE, Sánchez remarked that it is a "difficult time" and that it is necessary to consider "what has been achieved" so far with dialogue between the administration and the sector.

The transport minister also said that haulers' conditions have "improved substantially" since the last strike, in the spring. 

"Any discrepancies that may exist can be addressed," she said, adding that the Spanish government "has complied with all the agreements reached with the sector."

Filling the Sink podcast

After a decade of low inflation and low interest rates, price hikes following the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia's war in Ukraine have left many feeling the pinch.

We examined the subject of inflation and the cost of living crisis in the latest episode of our podcast, Filling the Sink, which was published on November 5, 2022. Press play below to listen or subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify.