In early February 1919, a Canadian-financed hydroelectric plant in Barcelona started cutting wages and laid off eight union organizers. The layoffs sparked the National Workers Confederation (CNT) union to lead a general strike that spread throughout the city and involved more than 100,000 electrical, print, and textile workers. They demanded the rehiring of all strikers, wage increases, and an eight-hour workday.
The strikes lasted nearly two months. Factory workers held sit-ins and walkouts across Spain in solidarity, and the protesters were ultimately successful in forcing the Spanish government to accede to its demands. The strikers also demanded the release of imprisoned strikers. When authorities refused, they went on a three-day strike. But the police quickly arrested union leaders and the strike fizzled.
The strike is remembered for forcing the Spanish government to create a law mandating the eight-hour workday. Spain became the first nation in the world to institute it.
