Spanish Government Negotiates with Unions to Avoid Renfe Strike
Key proposals address worker demands as negotiations continue to avert scheduled strikes.
The Spanish Ministry of Transport is in negotiations with unions representing Renfe employees to avert a planned strike involving seven days of industrial action.
The proposals on the table respond directly to the primary demands voiced by workers.
If accepted by union representatives, a new mixed company for Catalonia would be integrated as a subsidiary within the state-owned Renfe group.
This development necessitates a redesign of the planned Catalan entity and indicates that the infrastructure for the R1 line will be transferred to the Generalitat, although the operational management will remain with the Railway Infrastructure Administrator (Adif) for an indefinite period.
The concessions made by the government reflect a significant reduction from the more ambitious transfer that ERC had outlined two years ago during Pedro Sánchez's investiture agreement.
Nevertheless, the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) has opted not to confront the Ministry of Transport aggressively, choosing instead to issue a cautious reminder of their position.
During a congress held in Martorell, the party’s communications vice-secretary, Isaac Albert, stated that the management of Rodalies should lead to a company that is "one hundred percent Catalan and of the Generalitat." Albert acknowledged the need for a gradual approach and that immediate changes are not feasible, echoing remarks made by Oriol Junqueras, the party leader, weeks prior.
Currently, the envisioned model for the mixed company suggests a capital structure where the Generalitat would hold 51% stake and the central government 49%.
The company’s board would be evenly split, featuring four members selected by the government (specifically from Renfe Viajeros) and four from the Generalitat, with a chairperson elected by the Catalan government possessing a casting vote.
Sílvia Paneque, the Consellera de Territori, emphasized that this framework is supported by the unions, pointing out that both the Generalitat and the Ministry of Transport are exercising caution in public remarks, including from the usually more vocal Transport Minister, Óscar Puente.
As negotiations continued, representatives from the Territori department in Madrid are directly involved in the discussions with unions.
Following a lengthy day of talks on Friday that brought the two sides closer together, the parties ended without an agreement.
Discussions will resume on Sunday with the goal of reaching a pact that would prevent disruptions to mobility beginning Monday.
Historical patterns suggest that if Renfe workers proceed with the strike, not all trains operated under minimum service agreements are likely to run, as workers often report emergent issues or strict safety violations, such as graffiti-covered windows, preventing train operations.
The proposals on the table respond directly to the primary demands voiced by workers.
If accepted by union representatives, a new mixed company for Catalonia would be integrated as a subsidiary within the state-owned Renfe group.
This development necessitates a redesign of the planned Catalan entity and indicates that the infrastructure for the R1 line will be transferred to the Generalitat, although the operational management will remain with the Railway Infrastructure Administrator (Adif) for an indefinite period.
The concessions made by the government reflect a significant reduction from the more ambitious transfer that ERC had outlined two years ago during Pedro Sánchez's investiture agreement.
Nevertheless, the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) has opted not to confront the Ministry of Transport aggressively, choosing instead to issue a cautious reminder of their position.
During a congress held in Martorell, the party’s communications vice-secretary, Isaac Albert, stated that the management of Rodalies should lead to a company that is "one hundred percent Catalan and of the Generalitat." Albert acknowledged the need for a gradual approach and that immediate changes are not feasible, echoing remarks made by Oriol Junqueras, the party leader, weeks prior.
Currently, the envisioned model for the mixed company suggests a capital structure where the Generalitat would hold 51% stake and the central government 49%.
The company’s board would be evenly split, featuring four members selected by the government (specifically from Renfe Viajeros) and four from the Generalitat, with a chairperson elected by the Catalan government possessing a casting vote.
Sílvia Paneque, the Consellera de Territori, emphasized that this framework is supported by the unions, pointing out that both the Generalitat and the Ministry of Transport are exercising caution in public remarks, including from the usually more vocal Transport Minister, Óscar Puente.
As negotiations continued, representatives from the Territori department in Madrid are directly involved in the discussions with unions.
Following a lengthy day of talks on Friday that brought the two sides closer together, the parties ended without an agreement.
Discussions will resume on Sunday with the goal of reaching a pact that would prevent disruptions to mobility beginning Monday.
Historical patterns suggest that if Renfe workers proceed with the strike, not all trains operated under minimum service agreements are likely to run, as workers often report emergent issues or strict safety violations, such as graffiti-covered windows, preventing train operations.
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Translated by AI
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