Spanish train strikes called off
Train drivers across Spain were scheduled to begin industrial action on Monday March 17
Renfe and Adif unions have called off the 7-day strike which was scheduled to begin on Monday March 17, affecting public transport up and down the country including Cercanías, Rodalies AVE, Avlo and Medium and Long Distance trains. Those representing the train drivers reached a last-minute agreement with the Ministry of Transport after just four hours of industrial action.
But while Renfe is confident that trains should be “virtually back to normal” this week, the CGT union has rejected the agreement and is still calling on its drivers to walk out. As a result, the government has decreed that minimum services must be maintained: between 75% and 50% for Cercanías (Commuter Trains), between 66% and 33% for Rodalies (Rodalies), 72% for AVE and Avlo (High Speed Trains), and 65% for Media Distancia (Media Distancia).
The cause of unrest stems from the upcoming transfer of management of the Rodalies train company to the Catalan government, which has sparked labour concerns and political tensions. The Regional Workers' Party (ERC) is pushing for certain conditions to be met, including giving the Catalan government control over the appointment of the company's board president, rather than the central government making the decision.
The Spanish Union of Railway Drivers (Semaf) has announced that, despite the management transfer, Renfe and Adif will continue to operate and manage train services in Catalonia. Renfe will establish a new subsidiary, with a majority stake in Renfe Viajeros, which will adhere to existing labour agreements.
According to Secretary of State for Transport, José Antonio Santano, this subsidiary will be a “joint venture” between the Catalan government and Renfe Viajeros.
Although the Ministry of Transport and the Generalitat de Catalunya have not disclosed the details of the agreement, they issued a joint statement congratulating themselves on reaching “a series of agreements” that led to the cancellation of the planned strike.
Image: Archive
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