Doctors Strike in Spanish Hospitals

Spanish doctors began a three-day strike in state hospitals Monday to demand wage boosts and higher spending on health care, union officials said.

In Madrid and Barcelona, where the protest had the strongest support, hospitals were operating emergency services only.

The strike is expected to gain momentum in the next few days, with other hospital staff joining the protest.

In another development, construction workers began a three-day stoppage Monday over pay. Union officials said 60% of Spain’s 861,000 construction workers were supporting the strike.

In northern Spain’s coal mines, more than 40% of miners were still absent Monday in spite of a union call to return to work. The miners have staged spontaneous strikes for three weeks against threatened closures and job cuts.