A series of planned strikes has caused Spanish rail operator Renfe to cancel over 300 trains on Friday, February 9th
Renfe strikes
The protest, organized by Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) with collaboration from the Sindicato de Circulación Ferroviario (SCF), affects 89 high-speed and long-distance trains, and 221 medium-distance trains.
The involved unions demand the unblocking of the implementation agreement for a 35-hour workweek at Adif ( The Ministry of Transport). Although negotiated with the General Works Council and the company, the resolution has been frozen by Adif.
Regarding the salary categories in the agreement with Renfe, the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has approved its implementation. However, due to a lack of response from the Public Function body, the resolution has also been blocked. Comisiones Obreras now awaits a response, which could potentially lead to the cancellation of the strike in Renfe’s transport services.
The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has arranged a minimal train service to ensure citizen mobility. From 6:00 to 9:00, 13:30 to 15:30, and 18:30 to 20:30, the company’s Cercanías trains must offer a minimum service of 75%. For the rest of the day, they must provide a 50% service.
In the case of media distance services, ministry guidelines set the minimum at 65% of the 641 scheduled trains, leaving 420 trains in operation and 221 cancelled. High-speed and long-distance trains will also have reduced activity to 241, 73% of the total 330 trains scheduled for tomorrow. Finally, freight trains will only have 25% of the initial schedule.
As for the Rodalies de Catalunya, the Departament d´Empresa i Treball of the Generalitat de Catalunya has agreed on a 66% service during peak hours and 33% for the rest of the day.
