General Strike in the Canaries on 15th October: What you need to know about the planned walkouts
The major trade unions (CCOO and UGT) have called on workers across the Canary Islands to join the nationwide general strike on Wednesday, 15th October, in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Union leaders Vanesa Frahija (CCOO) and Manuel Navarro (UGT) announced that the strike will include short work stoppages of up to two hours during one of three time slots:
- 2:00am – 4:00am
- 10:00am – 12:00pm
- 5:00pm – 7:00pm
The goal, they explained, is to “make visible the injustice suffered by Gaza” and to express the solidarity of Canarian workers with the people of Palestine.
Demonstrations and Events Across the Islands
In addition to workplace stoppages, rallies and demonstrations will be held throughout the archipelago.
Gran Canaria:
- 11:00 am – Rally at Gran Canaria Airport (Departures area)
- 6:00 pm – March from Parque de San Telmo to Plaza de la Feria
Tenerife:
- 11:00 am – Assembly of council delegates in Plaza del Cristo, Tacoronte
- 6:00 pm – Gathering in Plaza Weyler, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Fuerteventura:
- 10:00 am – Demonstration on Calle Primero de Mayo, 64, outside the Government Delegation
Lanzarote:
- 6:30 pm – March from Casa Amarilla on Calle Real, circling the Charco and ending at the Atlántida cinemas
Union representatives say the actions will be “symbolic but significant”, highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Gaza from the Canary Islands.
Workers’ Rights During the Strike
Under Royal Decree-Law 17/1977, all workers have the right to join a strike without prior notice. However, the day will be unpaid, and employers cannot penalise or replace those who exercise this right.
Participation in Schools and Universities
The Student Union has also called for a nationwide education strike, affecting secondary schools, vocational colleges, and universities. Students in the Canary Islands are therefore permitted to skip classes without sanction if their absence is covered by the official strike. Even so, it is recommended to inform schools in advance and check local protest times, most of which will take place in the afternoon.
A Symbolic Strike for Palestine
The 15th October strike forms part of a statewide day of action demanding that the Spanish Government and Parliament take a unified stance on what unions describe as “the genocide against the Palestinian people.”
In the Canary Islands, organisers hope the stoppages will encourage reflection on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and reaffirm social solidarity among island residents.
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