has spread throughout the Spanish state. March, and 30 other Spanish towns. Since then, the workers taking industrial action have included miners, steel workers, rail workers, health workers and doctors, and airline groundstaff. NICK ADAMS reports. THESE workers actions follow a wave of protests by students. In January and February, secondary students filled of demonstrations against changes trance rules. University students all over the country have also been on strike against planned changes in their study programmes Some of the workers been tremely In the A WAVE of strikes involving workers and students On 400,000 workers demonstrated in Madrid northern industrial of Reinosa workers occupied their stee mill against a proposed third cut- the 1700strong workforce were joined inside the plant by 3000 local towns people ir a successful defence of the occupation against police attacks.
Each of the struggles has particular demands, but they are linked by their opposition to the five per cent ceiling on pay rises imposed by the Socialist government Felipe Gonzalez 'The renewal of work. ing class struggles presents a maior challenge to the Socialist government which has engaged in a public 'rationalisation' programme since its elec tion and is now proposing further anti-working class merited accompany the five per cent pay ceil In 1984 introduced overed the ment term contracts legalising the right of firms to employ workers for just six months per vear. It ha presided over job cuts and dards. The government is Gonzalez now proposing to abolish statutory minimum wage for workers aged between 18 and 24, reduce redundancy payments, extend short-term contracts ana give encouragement lo firms employing part-time
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