A general strike in Spain on Wednesday 11th November 2026 has reduced road mobility in Barcelona by 49%, according to the Catalan Traffic Service (Servei Català de Trànsit), as reported by Cronicaglobal. Around 160,000 fewer vehicles entered or left the city compared to a typical morning, with 80,000 fewer in each direction.
Traffic congestion dropped by 30%, with 100km of queues recorded, down from usual levels. However, the SCT confirmed 80 traffic cuts, some on major roads and lasting several hours. Ramon Lamiel, director of the SCT, described the impact on roads as "important".
Varied Sector Impact
Business group Pimec estimated strike participation at just 9.8%, with 29% of companies reporting reduced or halted activity. Employers’ group Empresaris de Catalunya said 98% of its members operated normally. The Cecot trade body put stoppages at 7.5%.
Sector-by-Sector Response
CCOO and UGT, the unions behind the strike, claimed 84% support, citing full stoppages at Seat and Ebro. In education, Ustec·Stes union coordinator Andreu Mumbrú reported a 45% strike rate in Catalan schools by mid-morning, expecting it to rise. Hospitality saw minimal disruption, with only 5% participation in Barcelona province, according to Hostelería de España.
Commuters should expect lingering delays on major access roads into the city, particularly where protests caused prolonged closures. The SCT advises checking real-time traffic updates via its official portal before travel.
Sources: Crónica Global.
