Fuel Protest in Spain Stretches into Second Day: Food Shortages Expected

[alcibiades_mystery]

Less well-known, but infinitely more explosive, is the situation of road transport. Here we are faced with a mass of workers and independent operators equal to twenty Mirafiores rolled into one. The "objective" weight of this workforce is frightening, and it is perhaps the only section of the class today whose movement could paralyze the whole capitalist cycle..., Sergio Bologna, "The Tribe of Moles" (Italy, April 1977)

Independent truckers in the Spain have virtually shut down the country in a massive labor action, protesting the high cost of gas. Estimates suggest that as many as 90,000 truckers may be participating in the strike, which includes "slowdowns" (literally, driving at a snail's pace) and blockades of various important roads. Fearing food and fuel shortages as a result of the strike, people have begun hoarding gasoline and emptying the market shelves, leading to fears that stores will not be able to keep food in stock as early as the end of this week. In Madrid, at least 15% of the gas stations have run out of fuel entirely, while long lines form at those with remaining supply.

Throughout Europe, fishermen are striking and protesting fuel costs, and truckers have joined in one day solidarity slowdowns in France and elsewhere. Roads leading into Madrid and Valencia are virtually blocked. The line of traffic at the French border with Spain stretches 8 miles.

It's getting bumpy, folks. This is a global economic crisis the likes of which we haven't seen since the late-1970's. Much of our lives through the 1980's and 1990's were determined by economic crises that rocked the capitalist system in the early and late 1970's, and the adjustments that global capitalism had to make to deal with these crises. These were points of profound transformation in the ways we work and relate to each other, and it seems that we're undergoing another one right now.

[alcibiades_mystery]

1. Oops...wrong forum...meant this for GE...my bad