Barcelona kept Camp Nou and its fan services open during Spain's general strike on Wednesday 11 November, maintaining essential access for members and fans.
Strike rights and remote working
Spain's main trade unions called a general strike on 11 November, leaving streets almost empty, transport at a standstill and movement paralysed.
Barcelona allowed its employees to exercise their right to strike entirely freely, without pressure or restrictions.
According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona facilitated remote working for employees who might struggle to reach their workplaces because of transport disruptions.
GOAL reported that Barcelona's decision to allow striking and remote working reflected respect for the rights of its workers and a determination not to interrupt vital services to members and fans.
Store and museum services
Crowds gathered at Barcelona's club store, “Botiga”, and the museum despite the drop in general attendance.
Visitors and fans of all ages and nationalities went to the store and museum, taking advantage of the quiet to visit, take souvenir photos and pick up team shirts and memorabilia.
Some Barcelona employees went on strike at the store, the club's fans' office and the members' and users' service office.
Barcelona management put an alternative plan in place, drafting in enough employees to serve fans so that no visitor would feel any shortfall or disruption on the day of the strike.
Stadium area and new Camp Nou project
From the early morning on 11 November, traffic around Barcelona's club and stadium fell well below its usual level, and attendance looked lower than on ordinary days. GOAL described it as natural that many people preferred to stay at home on the day of the general strike.
The stadium tour at Barcelona's ground continued to receive visitors as normal on 11 November, though it saw fewer tourists. GOAL stated that the lower number coincided with a break in the season and with many people staying away from travel on the day.
According to sources consulted by Mundo Deportivo, the general strike was almost non-existent among the construction workers on the new Camp Nou project.
According to those sources, the construction workers carried on with their tasks more or less normally, without the pace of work slowing on the project.
GOAL reported that the area surrounding the stadium saw little activity on 11 November.
Women's Champions League preparations
GOAL reported that one day remained before Barcelona's women's team faced Arsenal in the Champions League on Thursday.
GOAL reported that all the outdoor areas around the stadium had to be prepared to welcome fans for the women's Champions League match against Arsenal on Thursday.
GOAL described Barcelona's organisation, security and logistics teams as working flat out to prepare every detail of the upcoming European night.
GOAL stated that activity was expected to return to full force around the stadium after the relatively quiet day imposed by the general strike.
