Barcelona taxi drivers plan mass protest and six-hour strike on December 9

Barcelona taxi union Élite Taxi has announced a "historic mobilisation" and strike on Tuesday, December 9.

The union said taxi services across Catalonia will be suspended from 10am to 4pm, including at Barcelona Airport and at bus and train stations.

Only medical emergencies will be attended, and these will be provided free of charge.

The group said the protest is intended to defend the sector's future and "denounce Uber's plundering."

It has called for "a massive invasion from all Catalonia into the heart of Barcelona," planning to occupy Gran Via, from Plaça Tetuan to Carrer Entença, and once that area is full, to move on to Passeig de Gràcia.

The union stressed that the strike is "irreversible" and will not be cancelled "under any circumstances or pressure."

Élite Taxi said further demonstrations could head towards Parliament, Plaça Sant Jaume – home to the Catalan government and Barcelona City Council – or Camp Nou, with the organization objecting to FC Barcelona's partnership with Uber.

A new taxi law announced by the Catalan government in September aims to reduce the number of ride-hailing services such as Uber available across Barcelona's metropolitan area (AMB).