Leadership, Coordination, and Strike Diffusion in Spain (1986–2002): Patterns of Initiation, Collaboration, and Mobilization

This study investigates strike activity in Spain between 1986 and 2002, focusing on the role of unions in initiating and participating in collective actions. Using a comprehensive dataset of strikes, we examine patterns of leadership and followership among union branches, including which union branches lead strikes most frequently and which branches follow most often. The study also considers the characteristics of strikes in relation to the provinces and institutional types associated with leaders and followers, as well as the distribution of strike initiation across both provinces and types. Beyond individual participation, our study explores collaborative behavior by constructing a co-initiation of strikes network to identify which union branches initiate strikes together. In addition, the study identifies the most common leader and follower pairs. Finally, we investigate the speed at which mobilization spreads from leader union branches to followers. By integrating organisational patterns, collaborative networks, and temporal diffusion, this research provides a structured framework for understanding union behaviour, coordination, and the propagation of strike activity in Spain during this period.