There are more than 1,500 trains cancelled by Renfe on 24 and 30 November and 1, 4 and 5 December, when there is a rail strike in Spain.
Specifically, Renfe has cancelled 1,548 medium and long-distance trains, as well as the high-speed AVE, plus another 990 freight trains.
Spanish railway workers have taken the strike action in protest at the Madrid government’s intention to transfer Rodales suburban trains to Catalonia, following a pact signed by Pedro Sánchez’s ruling Socialist Party with Catalan separatists.
According to the decision on minimum services adopted by the Transport Ministry, 75% of normal service will be guaranteed for peri-urban (commuter) trains at peak times, with the rest of the time it will drop to 50%. For medium-haul trains the percentage is 65%, for high-speed and long-distance trains – 72%, and for freight trains – 25%.
Rail strike in Spain. Trade unionists unhappy with agreement with Catalan separatists
Trade unionists complain there is a lack of detailed information in the pact with Catalan separatists, which does not specify how the deal will affect Renfe and Adif employees. The agreement signed by the PSOE with the Catalan Republicans of the ERC provides for the transfer of the track, trains , railway stations and operations to Rodales. Employees only know that a new state company will be created to manage railway operations in Catalonia, which the Spanish state and the regional authority Generalitat will control, with the latter holding a majority of the shares.
In return for supporting the re-election of Pedro Sánchez as head of the Spanish government, the separatist MPs obtained the management of suburban trains, while Rodalies de Catalunya was operated by Renfe for rolling stock and Adif for infrastructure. In a first phase, the region will take over the maintenance and operation of lines R1, R2 and R3. Afterwards, there is the possibility of other lines being transferred.
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