Workers of Spain's largest banks to strike

Workers from Spain's largest banks, Bankia, Banco de Valencia and NovaGalicia Banco are set to cease work as part of their struggle against mass layoffs.

Employees at Bankia have already staged several small demonstrations over several weeks. Workers at other smaller banks such as Caja 3 began industrial action in December with 15-minute work breaks.

The strike is another part of the wave of protests Spain has been experiencing as it struggles to deal with a series of financial difficulties and an exceptionally high unemployment rate.

Together with other bank employees, who held protests in late January, the banking sector joins others, such as doctors, bus drivers and garbage workers, who have staged protests against the measures taken by the government and the private sector.