Vol. 72/No. 25      June 23, 2008

Some 70,000 truckers have joined the indefinite strike throughout Spain, reported the National Federation of Transport Associations (Fenadismer), which called the action.

Owner-operators in Europe, as in the United States, are being devastated by skyrocketing fuel prices and other costs, as well as by the low rates they get for the freight they haul.

The price of diesel is 1.30 euros per liter—around $7.73 a gallon—up from 0.95 euros per liter a year ago.

“We are the ones who move the merchandise that this country needs to function,” said Julio Villascusa, Fenadismer’s president, June 9. “If we don’t have the money to keep buying fuel to offer this public service, well, then this country comes to a halt.”

Truckers are demanding government regulation that guarantees a minimum price for their loads above costs.

“We are not asking for subsidies,” said Desirée Paseiro, a spokesperson for Fenadismer. “What we want is for us to move the truck, the government must guarantee that we can charge what the service costs, at a minimum.”

“We can’t charge $50, when in fuel alone we are spending $100,” said Paseiro.

The social democratic government of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, has instead offered truckers emergency credit and early retirement incentives. Zapatero has refused to set minimum rates, claiming that it would run against “fair” competition.

In the northeastern region of Cataluña, where 40 percent of gas stations have run out of fuel due to the strike, the government plans to distribute fuel to gas stations in tanker trucks escorted by the cops. An estimated 15 percent of gas stations in Madrid have run out of fuel.

Supplies of food and other goods are also being affected. The Spanish newspaper La Capital reported that auto plants have had to suspend production on several assembly lines due to lack of parts. If the strike continues, some may have to stop production entirely.

“The main ones hurt are the drivers themselves, who don’t earn anything each day of the strike,” said Jorge Somoza, a truckers’ representative, responding to accusations from bosses’ associations that the strikers are hurting consumers.

In recent weeks there have also been protests by independent truckers in France, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. Truckers in Portugal suspended their strike June 10, after one day, to allow for negotiations with the government on relief measures.

In Spain, thousands of fishermen have been on strike since May 30 to demand government relief from soaring fuel prices. Some 10,000 of them protested in Madrid outside the Ministry of Agriculture. They gave out 20 tons of fish to the public, reported the British daily the Guardian.

Fishermen in Italy and Belgium have also protested.  
 
 
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