Spain's train drivers call nationwide strike over rail safety commitments

Train drivers represented by Semaf will launch a 24-hour strike on Tuesday, 10 November, affecting Renfe commuter, regional, high-speed, long-distance and freight services. The action follows what the union calls repeated failure to implement safety commitments signed after the Adamuz accident. Negotiations with Transport Minister Carlos Cuerpo continued last week, but no agreement was reached before the deadline.

A second partial strike by drivers is planned for Thursday, 12 November, in three time slots: 06:20 to 09:20, 14:20 to 17:20 and 21:20 to 23:20. A separate general strike across Spain will take place on Wednesday, 11 November, meaning rail traffic will be affected on three consecutive days.

“The union demands concrete measures after eight months in which the administration and public companies repeatedly postponed meetings without any progress.”

The Transport Ministry has set minimum service levels to keep some trains running. Cercanías services will operate at 75 percent during peak hours and 50 percent at other times. Media Distancia will run at an average of 65 percent, while high-speed and long-distance services will reach 72 percent. Freight services are set at 20 percent.

Renfe has announced free changes and cancellations for all affected trains through its official X account. The union also demands protocols for adverse weather conditions, removal of temporary speed restrictions on Adif's network, and new working groups to draft railway safety regulations.

Cuerpo is attending Eurogroup and EU economic and finance council meetings in Brussels on Monday. Semaf said on Sunday that it was unclear how negotiations could continue after two meetings held last week.