SPANISH communists demanded the resignation of Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska today over the brutal treatment of striking metalworkers in the southern province of Cadiz.

Security forces fired rubber bullets and tear gas at the strikers during nine days of industrial action, which ended on Wednesday night.

A deal was struck that must be voted on by some 20,000 union members, a UGT spokesman confirmed. A ballot was set to take place today.

The workers walked out on November 16 after the breakdown of talks with bosses at the Femca association, which represents 700 metalworking companies.

The Communist Party of the Workers of Spain (PCTE) said the violent response had been ordered by Mr Grande-Marlaska, and called on him to step down.

In a statement, the PCTE said that his actions “make the whole Spanish government responsible for the ferocious repression against the legitimate struggle of metalworkers.

“We call on the ensemble of the Spanish working class to show their solidarity with the strike of metalworkers in Cadiz and all the workers’ struggles that are breaking out all over the country.”