October 3, 2025 has become a key date in Spain's labor calendar, as thousands of workers from various sectors took to the streets in a strike that promises to be historic. Called by the major unions, the protest seeks to pressure the government to address a series of demands that, they say, have been ignored for too long.
From early hours of the morning, the main cities of the country were affected by demonstrations and traffic disruptions. In Madrid and Barcelona, the crowds were especially notable, with thousands of people marching along the main avenues shouting "Justice for workers now!"
The unions have stated that their demands include pay increases, fair working conditions, and a modernization of the collective bargaining agreements. They have also emphasized the importance of addressing job precarity and guaranteeing basic rights for all workers, regardless of their sector or contract.
In the field of transportation, one of the sectors most affected by the mobilization, minimum services were implemented to try to reduce interruptions. In the Madrid metro, for example, trains operate at 30% of their usual capacity, while urban buses are running at 40%. The travelers have shown, for the most part, understanding, although there have been complaints about the long waits and the crowding in the few available means.
The education sector has not been immune to the strike. With significant monitoring by teachers and non-teaching staff, many schools and institutes remained closed or barely operational. Parents and students were forced to seek alternatives, generating a significant impact on daily routines.
For its part, the government has responded by insisting that it is open to dialogue, but it has criticized what it considers to be 'excessive' measures by the unions. They stated that they were working on proposals that could satisfy the workers' demands without undermining the country's economic stability.
Meanwhile, security forces have maintained a prominent presence on the streets, overseeing that the demonstrations unfold peacefully. So far, no significant incidents have been reported, and both the protesters and the authorities seem determined to avoid clashes.
The day will continue until the end of the day, and the organizers have already warned that, if no concrete progress is achieved, new mobilizations could be called in the near future. At this moment, the focus is on the parties' ability to reach an understanding that enables progress toward a more just and equitable horizon for the country's workers.
Press release from ANPE Madrid.
