Although we criticise
Although we criticise syndicalists who think that the way to end capitalism is through a general strike (that would be suicidal with the state machine still in the hands of the capitalist class), this does not necessarily mean that we think that a general strike can never be useful for the working class. Under certain circumstances, this can be an appropriate means of trying to defend living standards and trade union rights. So, for instance, we supported the General Strike in Britain in 1926 and here’s what we commented on a general strike in Belgium in 1960-1The planned general strike in Spain is not going to be a real strike (as these two were) but more of a one-day protest demonstration. There’s nothing wrong in that but it’s probably not going to have much effect as the law that is being protested against has already been passed by the Spanish parliament and the government (recently elected) is not likely to repeal. Also, the situation in Spain is (I think) complicated by rival trade union centres. You on the ground in Spain are in a better position than us to judge whether there is an element of one union confederation trying to show that it is more militant than some other one.There was a one-day protest public sector general strike in Britain on 30 November last year. Our discussion of this (and the text of the leaflet we handed out) can be found on this forum here:http://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/forum/general-discussion/30-november-tuc-day-actionIn the end, while showing solidarity to those on strike and joining it if we’re involved, we can’t do much more than JohnD says: argue the case for political action to end the wages system altogether by converting the means of production into the common property of society under democratic social control.