Railway unions have launched nationwide action this week to demand improved safety measures following the two fatal rail accidents in January
A three-day strike by train drivers has begun across Spain, causing widespread disruption to rail services and prompting renewed talks between unions and the Ministry of Transport.
The industrial action follows two serious rail accidents in January and centres on demands for improved safety measures and additional resources across the network.
The main Spanish railway unions launched the strike at midnight this Monday February 9, calling for safety improvements on all rail lines after a high-speed derailment on January 18 that killed 46 people.
A second accident, just two days later on a Rodalies commuter service in Catalonia, resulted in a further fatality and intensified concerns among rail workers.
Train drivers’ unions claim that participation in the strike is total, claiming that 100% of staff – not just the drivers – have joined the action. Renfe, however, has put the figure much lower, at 11.6%.
Minimum services are under question
Unions CCOO and Semaf have stated that minimum services are being maintained during the strike. This has been disputed by Renfe in Catalonia, which has said that minimum services are not being met on Rodalies services and has advised passengers to consider alternative forms of transport.
The government has set minimum service levels at 73% on high-speed and long-distance routes. On commuter services, 75% of trains are to run during peak hours and 50% during off-peak periods. Medium-distance services are supposed to be operating at 65%, while freight services have been reduced to 21%.
Despite these measures, Renfe, Ouigo and Iryo have cancelled more than 330 high-speed and medium-distance trains, and there are claims – at least anecdotally among passengers – that these minimum services are not being met.
Meanwhile, a fourth meeting between the Ministry of Transport and the main trade unions, CCOO, UGT and the train drivers’ union Semaf, began at around 11am today, on the first day of strike action.
Union leaders told the media that technical contacts had taken place over the weekend and that some progress had been made, although no details were provided.
Negotiations resumed after no agreement was reached in talks that began last Wednesday, February 4.
With no compromise yet secured, the strike is set to continue tomorrow, February 10, and the following day, 11, as planned.
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