Strike Snarls Travel Plans Across Spain

A massive strike by public transportation workers protesting a proposed wage hike ceiling today shut down air, rail and ferry service and disrupted travel plans for millions of Spaniards and foreign tourists.

The strike by employees of the two state-run airlines Iberia and Aviaco and the national rail company RENFE forced the cancellation of more than 350 flights, 100 train runs and ferry service linking the Balaeric Islands and the Canaries archipelago to mainland Spain, officials said.

Police said it created gigantic traffic jams in Madrid and on major highways. A spokesman for the Spanish office of the Avis car rental agency said there was not one car left for rent from their fleet.

The cancellation of a scheduled Iberia flight from Brazil to Madrid forced Spanish Foreign Minister Francisco Fernandez Ordonez to return home on another airline via Lisbon, where a Spanish Air Force jet awaited him.

Subway, Buses Shut Down

Strikes also shut down the Madrid subway system and municipal bus service in Barcelona, Spain’s second-largest city.

Union officials said hotel, steel, shipbuilding and auto workers also went on strike.

Tourism officials estimated losses due to today’s strikes at $39 million. Tourism is Spain’s most important industry and last year brought in more than $12 billion.

The strikes were organized to pressure the Socialist government to back away from its support for a 5% wage hike ceiling.