Reflections on the General Strike of 30 May

Jun 01, 2013
There was widespread support for the strike in the different sectors in the companies of the Basque Country. In the industrial sector, many workers downed tools in the metal sector and the strike affected nearly all the building sites in construction. In the Public Services, special mention should be made of the support in the education sector, with over 70% of the workers in the publicly-run centres out on strike. There was good support in local and provincial council, as well as in the autonomous government and Justice. During the 24-hour strike, there were large demonstrations at mid-day in the four provincial capitals, along with protests in the afternoon in the districts and villages throughout the Basque Country.

A further step: This strike is a further step in the protest and struggle of the different trade union and social agents to stop the destruction of rights and the impoverishment of society. It was the sixth general strike in 5 years, which highlights the existence of a collectively organised society that is ready to fight the policies leading to such an unprecedented social decline.

The strike had three fundamental core areas:
* to discredit the policies that we are suffering
* to protest to defend and collectivize an alternative
* to consolidate a trade union and social space that does not accept the extension of poverty.
The social situation is dramatic and requires solutions that prioritise the welfare of individuals and collectives. The people in power tells us that "there is no other alternative”: But it is not true. There is an alternative if we are willing to take on the economic powers that be. There is an alternative to challenge the European model, clearly in favour of capital; there is an alternative to end the debt and deficit discipline, to defend worthwhile employment, wages and public pensions, to change fiscal policy and come up with markedly social budgets. Yes there is an alternative.
There is no question over the usefulness of the strike to achieve that aim. That  awareness raising has involved the thousands and thousands of meetings held, the explanation of the alternative proposals, etc., is notably being felt in the social fabric. It is true there was no u-turn in policies the day after the strike. But without the strike, there would be no real deterrent for even tougher policies. This explains the need for a sustained and permanent protest that will lead to a change of policies. Striking is thus an instrument of great value, the best instrument to collectively channel the weariness and indignation of society. It is, in short, a further stepping stone in the fight needed to defend our rights and achieve a fairer and more solidarity society.

A further step: This strike is a further step in the protest and struggle of the different trade union and social agents to stop the destruction of rights and the impoverishment of society. It was the sixth general strike in 5 years, which highlights the existence of a collectively organised society that is ready to fight the policies leading to such an unprecedented social decline.The strike had three fundamental core areas:l to discredit the policies that we are sufferingl to protest to defend and collectivize an alternative l to consolidate a trade union and social space that does not accept the extension of poverty.The social situation is dramatic and requires solutions that prioritise the welfare of individuals and collectives. The people in power tells us that "there is no other alternative”: But it is not true. There is an alternative if we are willing to take on the economic powers that be. There is an alternative to challenge the European model, clearly in favour of capital; there is an alternative to end the debt and deficit discipline, to defend worthwhile employment, wages and public pensions, to change fiscal policy and come up with markedly social budgets. Yes there is an alternative.There is no question over the usefulness of the strike to achieve that aim. That  awareness raising has involved the thousands and thousands of meetings held, the explanation of the alternative proposals, etc., is notably being felt in the social fabric. It is true there was no u-turn in policies the day after the strike. But without the strike, there would be no real deterrent for even tougher policies. This explains the need for a sustained and permanent protest that will lead to a change of policies. Striking is thus an instrument of great value, the best instrument to collectively channel the weariness and indignation of society. It is, in short, a further stepping stone in the fight needed to defend our rights and achieve a fairer and more solidarity society.