Canary Islands strike 11 November: ferry service unclear

Will ferries run between the islands on 11 November?

Whether ferries sail on strike day is still open as of 5 November. Neither Fred. Olsen Express nor Naviera Armas Trasmediterránea had published cancellations or timetables for 11 November, according to our research.

The authorities set minimum services, never the company, and only for services the public cannot do without. Lawyers generally describe the level as comparable to Sundays and public holidays, but no order for the Canary Islands exists.

Anyone planning to cross on 11 November should therefore expect fewer departures. No figures are available so far.

What should island-hoppers do now?

For bookings on 11 November, ask the ferry company first. Until the minimum services are fixed, travellers should expect cancellations and fewer sailings.

The strike lasts 24 hours and applies only to that Wednesday. If you are flexible, move your crossing to the day before or the day after.

There is no information yet on individual ports, including those in the south of the islands. Confirmed timetables for buses to the port are also missing, so check with firms such as Global and Titsa on the day itself.

What applies to flights, buses and other connections?

Minimum services are also pending for airports and scheduled buses (guaguas). The airport operator AENA, the Canary Islands government and the Transport Ministry had published no order for 11 November in the sources we checked.

CCOO and UGT have asked the Transport Ministry to negotiate the minimum services with them. They name the general strikes of 2010 and 2012 as their benchmark.

One figure is circulating for the Canary Islands government: staffing of 15 to 25%, depending on the department. It could be confirmed neither in the BOC nor by the government itself.

Across Spain, disruption to flights and trains is considered possible, depending on the minimum service. All that is certain is that travellers should check with the airline, ferry company and bus operator on the day.

Who is striking on 11 November, and why?

CCOO and UGT have called the general strike for Wednesday 11 November 2026. It lasts 24 hours, applies across Spain and would be the first since November 2012.

CGT, CNT, CO.BAS and Intersindical also back the call. In the Canary Islands, the Federación Sindical Canaria and the Intersindical Canaria support the strike too, and Manuel Navarro leads UGT Canarias.

The unions demand higher wages, affordable housing and measures against rising prices. They also want shorter working hours, less precarious work and an end to the deadlocked collective bargaining.

According to the unions, wages in the Canary Islands sit around 500 euros below the national average, and social housing makes up only about 1%. These are union figures; we did not check them against ISTAC or INE data.

What rights do employees have on strike day?

Nobody has to strike: the Real Decreto-ley 17/1977 (the decree-law on the right to strike) makes taking part a free choice for each person. Those who do not strike work as normal, and employers may not ask who is striking.

Pay is cut only in proportion to the time not worked. Holiday or overtime may not be used to make up the deduction.

In social security, the strike day counts as “alta especial” (a special registration). No contributions are paid, and the day does not count towards future unemployment benefit.

Opinions differ on forced home working. The unions call it “modern strike-breaking”, while Law 10/2021 says nothing about strikes.

Our research did not show whether travellers get money back for cancelled ferries. They should ask the ferry company about the terms of their booking.

What is still open and what happens next?

Minimum services are still open for ferries, airports, buses, health and schools. The times and places of the rallies in the Canary Islands are not yet known either.

The Transport Ministry usually publishes its order in the days before a strike. Only then will it be certain whether it covers ferries between the islands.

Spain elects a new parliament on 29 November, and the official campaign starts two days after the strike. According to the unions, the strike is also aimed at parties that voted against housing measures.