Spain’s Train Drivers Set a Date, and It Is Not the Only Walkout Coming

Spain’s train drivers have picked October 29 to walk out. The Semaf drivers’ union announced on October 16 a 24-hour strike running from 00:01 to 23:59 on Thursday, covering all driving staff in the Renfe Group. That reaches commuter services in Cercanías and Rodalies, medium-distance, long-distance and high-speed trains.

The union says talks through the conflict commission failed and that earlier agreements face what it calls an administrative blockade. Its demands include railway safety, weather-emergency protocols, hiring new drivers, post-accident support and train reliability. Renfe counters that it has kept its commitments from a February agreement reached after the Adamuz accident, citing recruitment of up to 1,200 additional staff.

What actually runs on the day is unsettled, because minimum-service levels have not yet been decided. Cuts to Cercanías and Rodalies will depend on the final order and on how many drivers take part, so travelers with tickets for that date should watch for announcements rather than assume trains will or won’t operate.

The strike is part of a busy autumn. Semaf has also called full 24-hour strikes at Ouigo on October 30 and November 2, Barcelona-El Prat has an indefinite Groundforce strike with minimum services through November, partial baggage-system strikes continue at Madrid-Barajas until November 30, and unions UGT and CCOO have called a national general strike for November 11.

Sources: Euro Weekly News, Renfe