According to estimates by the two labor unions, the General Union of Workers (UGT) and the Workers’ Commissions (CCOO), nationwide work stoppages and walk-outs mobilized about 4 million workers yesterday, in the biggest strike action in Spain in 14 years, as was reported by Associated Press. 17% of Spain’s entire workforce was out on strike. The protest took place in Madrid and Barcelona—the country’s capital and the second largest city—plus about 50 more cities and towns across Spain, with the central slogan “Salaries. Housing. Prices.” The demonstration comes 18 days before the national elections of Spain, and is largely focused on housing prices, showing the deepening effect of the death—and the fight—of Maricarmen Abascal, the 87-year-old who successfully fought to stay in her apartment, but died before she could return after her eviction. The government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. declared support for the strike.

UGT and CCOO said that work stoppages amounted to 90% in the automotive and port sectors, 75% in the energy sector, 85% in the meat industry, and 82% in garbage collection.