A strike by miners in Spain over austerity measures began on 23 May 2012. More than 8,000 workers are protesting against cuts in government subsidies to the mining industry, which will hurt the wallets of miners. A month after the start of the protests, the strikes not only do not subside, but also become more aggressive.
In May, the Spanish government announced that the country's eurozone partners were pledging to help the Spanish banking system with a € 100 billion loan. By providing generous subsidies to banks, the government has informed the people that certain sacrifices will have to be made to combat the crisis. Specifically, officials said the austerity program would cut subsidies to state-owned mining companies by € 190 million. This reduction in funding will lead to the loss of thousands of jobs, as well as negatively affect the development of mining settlements.
In response to budget cuts, miners took to the streets. They launched a sit-in in the main square of Oviedo, the main administrative center of Asturias. Workers blocked roads connecting Asturias with other parts of Spain. “We will go on strike until the government makes significant concessions,” says Alfredo Gonzalez, a worker on strike at a mine near Santa Cruz de Sil.
The miners' protests are supported by the country's two largest trade unions, the Unión General de Trabajadores and the Confederation Sindical de Comisiones Obreras. At the end of May, the strike was temporarily called off as the government announced its intention to make concessions. However, in the process of negotiations with the strikers, officials said that the cuts were inevitable due to the state budget deficit. Disappointed miners took to the streets again.
In four weeks of demonstrations and sit-ins, the situation has escalated to the limit. Sixteen main roads in Asturias and two main railway lines were barricaded by disgruntled miners. Dozens of protesters were injured in clashes with police, and some ended up behind bars. Last week, miners fired slingshots at law enforcement officers and even fired homemade rockets at them.
