Unions' action likely to shut Spain on eve of EU summit

Spain is to shut down today in a general strike timed for maximum impact before the EU summit in Seville tomorrow.

The strike, called by the two main union organisations against tighter employment laws, ends six years of trade union co-operation with the conservative government of the Prime Minister, Jose Maria Aznar, and is the most serious labour challenge he has faced.

The actionis likely to overshadow the summit Mr Aznar hoped would crown Spain's six-month EU presidency.

Europe's 26 leaders must hasten to Seville early tomorrow if they want to avoid the ghastly prospect of receiving no hotel room service. The start of proceedings has been delayed until mid-morning.

The pro-communist Workers' Commissions and the socialist-leaning General Workers' Union, which jointly called the strike, predicted broad support, especially in the poor southern region of Andalucia where unemployment is highest, and whose regional capital is Seville.

Air and rail services will be sharply curtailed, causing delays and disruption for commuters and tourists. Union leaders say they will not meet the government-imposed minimum transport services, which they condemn as "abusive". The Supreme Court ruled yesterday that the Government's plans would remain in force.

Industry is expected to be hard hit, especially Spain's important tourism sector. Tens of thousands of tourists arriving in the Balearic islands face being stranded without airport taxis. A tourism spokes-man warned that the strike could inflict lasting damage on the sector, which is still struggling to overcome the impact of 11 September.

Basque unions called their strike yesterday and pickets ensured a partial transport stoppage. Shops closed in Bilbao and San Sebastian, but elsewhere in Spain there was increased activity as shoppers stocked up, anticipating closed shutters today.

Unions are angry at reforms that mean the unemployed will lose benefits if they refuse a job offer. They will be expected to take any kind of work, temporary or part-time, and up to 30 miles from home. The government has imposed the reforms by decree, in the teeth of union opposition. Mr Aznar insists he will not back down.

Security in Seville is already heavier than for the World Expo in 1992. Nato F-18 fighter planes and Hawk anti- aircraft missiles will protect the skies against any possible terrorist attacks, as they did in Barcelona at a summit in March. In addition, Spain's Security Secretary, Pedro Morenes, is authorised to bring down any "rogue" aircraft suspected of being used in a suicide mission.

Barbed wire fences seal off the out-of-town summit venue and the area around the hotel where leaders will stay.

A force of 9,000 security officers, flown from outlying regions and already on patrol, will marshal hundreds of thousands of anti-globalisation protesters expected at rallies on Saturday.

Historic monuments are closed, to the dismay of holidaymakers baffled to find this lively, romantic city turning into a grim ghost town.