In 1959, the so-called Stabilization Plan began in Spain, which deregulated the Spanish economy and seriously harmed mining, which had not received new investments since the end of the 19th century.
Moreover, the perception of the Franco regime as "archaic" by young people who had not lived through the Civil War or the repression that followed it served to strengthen the labor movement.
This, along with the poor living conditions in the mining basin and the willingness of young people to confront the regime, was the trigger for the strike.
[4] The role of women was fundamental in creating solidarity networks, asking for food and achieving the means of survival for the strikers and their families when it seemed that the strike was going to fail.
It was the only occasion during the Franco regime in which, since the right to strike was prohibited, a minister negotiated directly with the strikers and not with the Spanish Syndical Organization.
[2] In addition, a group of intellectuals, headed by Ramón Menéndez Pidal, signed a manifesto demanding freedom of information and the recognition of the right to strike.
Likewise, a group of women, including some notable writers, demonstrated with students in Madrid and Barcelona in support of the strikers.
[2] Moreover, news of women being confined in the Oviedo Cathedral reached other countries such as France or Belgium, where sympathy strikes were organized.