Spanish civil servants strike over wage cuts

Civil servants staged a sit-down protest outside the Spanish finance ministry yesterday as police guard the entrance to the building in Madrid.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Jun 2010, 23:06 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2010, 23:06 BST

Hundreds of civil servants chanted protests in the Spanish capital yesterday during a one-day strike over wage cuts ahead of government-proposed work reforms which will be unveiled today.

The stoppage was seen as a first test of strength for unions, which are considering calling a general strike if the government imposes too severe measures as part of its drive to cut a massive deficit.

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Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has already ordered a five per cent average cut in civil servants' salaries as part of a plan to save 15 billion euros this year and next.

Mr Zapatero has come under pressure to take bold action to ward off a Greek-style debt crisis.