Spain’s Train Troubles Don’t End When the General Strike Does

Spain’s rail workers have scheduled their own walkout. According to Deep Arrival, the Adif works council called a 24-hour strike for Tuesday, November 17, backed by CCOO, UGT, CGT, Sindicato Ferroviario and the Sindicato de Circulación Ferroviario. The strike could affect AVE, Avlo, Ouigo, Iryo, regional and commuter services, and minimum services have not been announced.

The report ties the call to the October 28 collision of two high-speed trains near Urda in Toledo province on the Madrid–Seville line, which it says killed 69 people. Unions are demanding more staff, an end to outsourcing and lighter workloads in control centers. Deep Arrival also reports, citing Railway Gazette, that Transport Minister Óscar Puente resigned on November 3.

The strike lands in a crowded calendar. SEMAF train-driver strikes are set for November 10 and 12, and the nationwide general strike falls on November 11. A Sindicato Ferroviario march is planned for Saturday, November 14, and a works-council rally outside Congress for Monday, November 16, with the council meeting again on November 18.

Deep Arrival also notes fewer services on Madrid–Seville until early 2027. Travelers with rail bookings in Spain over the next two weeks should check operator apps for updates, consider flexible tickets, and keep in mind that minimum-service orders usually come only a few days before a strike.

Sources: Deep Arrival, Euronews (German edition)