CNN news 2010-10-07
This is the entrance of high-speed train linked Madrid with Barcelona, Sivalia and Morlogan normally there would be dozens of Taxis and cars right here,dropping people off, rushing into their trains. Not this day. Not for long-distance trains and not for commuter trains either. In Madrid and other major cities, minimum service for the general strike meant far fewer trains than it's normal, and large crowds waiting.
I'm going to the university. We go some teacher said that they're going to work, but, I'm waiting for a day's train because since no find at all. I don't know when I'm going to get to.
Outside the bus stop, same story. Long lines, fewer buses. Union say industry slow for a day with the electric consumption down about 17%. Many stores and restaraunts closed. Traffic while lighter than normal was brisk as many people try to get to work in their cars. But the union protestors have plan to block that too with bicycles. Outnumber police were no mood to see the ground.
They don't want the working class to be united, we've been oppressed for a long time, and now this first general striking in 8 years.
The workers are angry about the government's deficit cutting austerity plan in the labor reforms. The socialist of governments senior traditional allies and unions on strike offered the moderate stance.
Our public services are being mad despite the strike even though there're being minor problem throughout the day. The government satisfied and the strike has not created major disruptions.
This union machinist remembers the strikes his fater and other worker took part in to win labor right years ago. He says he doesn't want to lose ground now, even as other say the reform is necessary and inevitable.
What we can now do in Spain is to take step back, every time we do that, it takes us years to recuperate it. A small mistake takes us to do over.
The Union claimed a 70% following from the strike are large demonstration of Madrid Labor in today aimed to show the union's muscle. The government has offered to be negociated but union leaders demand the complete government about faith.