Spanish unions are preparing for a general strike on Thursday. The strike is to protest labor reforms and austerity measures. The protests are expected to effect transportation and businesses throughout the country. Spain has an unemployment rate of 23%, and while the government says that their reforms are necessary for the economy, opponents say that they will make it easier for employers to fire workers. The government has also approved cuts and tax hikes in an effort to help the economy. The last general strike in Spain was in September 2010.
See "Unions prepare for general strike in Spain", Al Goodman, CNN, March 27, 2012