MADRID (AFP) — A Spanish truck drivers' association on Sunday called for its members to converge on Madrid overnight in protest at the government's apparent lack of action over high fuel prices.
The "Platform for the Defence of the Transport Sector", which says it represents 40,000 to 50,000 truckers across Spain, called in an internet statement for adherents to set off in their trucks from 1700 GMT.
Organisers stressed that the protest should be peaceful, after the deaths this week of two protesting truckers, one in Spain and one in Portugal.
The demonstration comes in the wake of a month of go-slows, protests, strikes and demonstrations by truck drivers and fishermen across large parts of Europe at the high price of fuel.
The independent "Platform" grouping was the first to call for an indefinite strike in Spain, on June 6th, before being joined three days later by Fenadismer, the union of small truck owners.
The strike, and accompanying go-slow and picketed barricades, caused chaos on the Spanish road network, and particular problems for the delivery of fresh goods and parts for car plants.
Traffic circulation has slowly returned to normal, after police cleared picket lines and lifted barricades.
However, both Fenadsimer and "Platform" are continuing to call for an open-ended strike.
Fenadismer represents 70,000 of the 381,000 lorries on Spanish roads, whilst no official figures is available for "Platform."
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