Strike Action Disrupts Renfe and Adif Services Amidst Contractual Disputes
Approximately 1,400 passenger trains suspended as negotiations falter over commitments related to Rodalies services.
The Ministry of Transport in Spain is in negotiations with trade unions to avert a planned strike at Adif and Renfe, which is set to commence at midnight.
The strike, scheduled for the 17th, 19th, 24th, 26th, and 28th of March, is expected to result in the cancellation of nearly 1,400 passenger trains across the network, impacting services significantly in the first five days of action.
Renfe is poised to halt operations of 1,383 out of 4,260 planned trains, which includes 428 high-speed and long-distance services, along with 955 mid-distance trains.
Additionally, 740 freight trains will be affected during the initial days of the strike, which will also continue on the 1st and 3rd of April.
The General Committees of the Companies (CGE) of Renfe and Adif, comprising unions such as Semaf, CCOO, UGT, CGT, SF-I, and SCF, have initiated these strikes in response to claims that the Ministry has failed to uphold agreements reached in 2023 concerning Rodalies and Renfe Mercancías.
These rising tensions echo a similar situation on November 23, 2023, when last-minute negotiations led to the cancellation of a planned strike over the same grievances.
Under the previous agreement, the Ministry had assured that Renfe and Adif would continue as the primary providers of Rodalies services, preserving the integrity of personnel within both public companies and establishing working groups to collaboratively find solutions.
However, unions contend that these commitments have been breached with recent announcements, including the exclusion of the R1 line (Maresme) from the General Interest Railway Network (RFIG) and the establishment of a mixed company to manage Rodalies, which they argue undermines the public railway group.
The mixed company formation emerged as part of arrangements with ERC to support Salvador Illa's regional presidency.
Unions assert these changes represent a total breach of prior agreements, noting that measures proposed by the Ministry, in coordination with the Generalitat, oppose prior commitments.
Last week's negotiations resulted in a draft proposal, indicating that the new operator for Rodalies, post-transfer to the Generalitat, would be integrated within the Renfe group.
This proposal also included provisions for Adif to assume full responsibility for the R1 line, the first line scheduled for transfer to the Generalitat.
Despite the Ministry’s efforts to ensure the protection of workers' rights at Renfe and Adif, significant amendments to agreements with the government of Salvador Illa and ERC have emerged, complicating the relationship.
The Minister of Territorial Organization in the Generalitat, Sílvia Paneque, stated that it is entirely compatible to safeguard social, labor, and mobility rights for Renfe employees while adhering to commitments regarding the Rodalies transfer.
The new management structure for Rodalies would be designed with a balanced council, allowing both the State and the Generalitat to have equal representation, with the presidency chosen by the Generalitat via a 'decisive vote'.
In terms of Renfe Mercancías, workers' representatives have accused the government of engaging in a covert privatization process through the establishment of a new entity controlled by logistics company MSC.
Concerns have been raised about measures that supposedly predetermine the decline of the public company, including halting new cargo contracts, impeding commercial customer acquisition efforts, and obstructing train operations due to inaction by management hubs.
Minimum service agreements established by the Ministry of Transport indicate that during peak hours, 75% of regional train services will operate, with 50% remaining throughout the day.
Of 2,736 mid-distance trains affected during the strike days, an estimated 1,781 services are expected to run.
For high-speed trains, a minimum of 72% is mandated, ensuring 1,096 out of 1,524 trains affected will remain operational.
The potential passenger demand on a strike day could involve approximately 255,211 travelers, with an estimated 74,892 needing alternative transport arrangements or delays.
Freight train operations are also curtailed, projected to operate at only 24% capacity, translating to just 234 of the 974 trains scheduled to run.
The detailed strike calendar outlines full-day strikes on March 17, March 26, and April 1, alongside partial stoppages in designated hours on the intervening days.
The strike, scheduled for the 17th, 19th, 24th, 26th, and 28th of March, is expected to result in the cancellation of nearly 1,400 passenger trains across the network, impacting services significantly in the first five days of action.
Renfe is poised to halt operations of 1,383 out of 4,260 planned trains, which includes 428 high-speed and long-distance services, along with 955 mid-distance trains.
Additionally, 740 freight trains will be affected during the initial days of the strike, which will also continue on the 1st and 3rd of April.
The General Committees of the Companies (CGE) of Renfe and Adif, comprising unions such as Semaf, CCOO, UGT, CGT, SF-I, and SCF, have initiated these strikes in response to claims that the Ministry has failed to uphold agreements reached in 2023 concerning Rodalies and Renfe Mercancías.
These rising tensions echo a similar situation on November 23, 2023, when last-minute negotiations led to the cancellation of a planned strike over the same grievances.
Under the previous agreement, the Ministry had assured that Renfe and Adif would continue as the primary providers of Rodalies services, preserving the integrity of personnel within both public companies and establishing working groups to collaboratively find solutions.
However, unions contend that these commitments have been breached with recent announcements, including the exclusion of the R1 line (Maresme) from the General Interest Railway Network (RFIG) and the establishment of a mixed company to manage Rodalies, which they argue undermines the public railway group.
The mixed company formation emerged as part of arrangements with ERC to support Salvador Illa's regional presidency.
Unions assert these changes represent a total breach of prior agreements, noting that measures proposed by the Ministry, in coordination with the Generalitat, oppose prior commitments.
Last week's negotiations resulted in a draft proposal, indicating that the new operator for Rodalies, post-transfer to the Generalitat, would be integrated within the Renfe group.
This proposal also included provisions for Adif to assume full responsibility for the R1 line, the first line scheduled for transfer to the Generalitat.
Despite the Ministry’s efforts to ensure the protection of workers' rights at Renfe and Adif, significant amendments to agreements with the government of Salvador Illa and ERC have emerged, complicating the relationship.
The Minister of Territorial Organization in the Generalitat, Sílvia Paneque, stated that it is entirely compatible to safeguard social, labor, and mobility rights for Renfe employees while adhering to commitments regarding the Rodalies transfer.
The new management structure for Rodalies would be designed with a balanced council, allowing both the State and the Generalitat to have equal representation, with the presidency chosen by the Generalitat via a 'decisive vote'.
In terms of Renfe Mercancías, workers' representatives have accused the government of engaging in a covert privatization process through the establishment of a new entity controlled by logistics company MSC.
Concerns have been raised about measures that supposedly predetermine the decline of the public company, including halting new cargo contracts, impeding commercial customer acquisition efforts, and obstructing train operations due to inaction by management hubs.
Minimum service agreements established by the Ministry of Transport indicate that during peak hours, 75% of regional train services will operate, with 50% remaining throughout the day.
Of 2,736 mid-distance trains affected during the strike days, an estimated 1,781 services are expected to run.
For high-speed trains, a minimum of 72% is mandated, ensuring 1,096 out of 1,524 trains affected will remain operational.
The potential passenger demand on a strike day could involve approximately 255,211 travelers, with an estimated 74,892 needing alternative transport arrangements or delays.
Freight train operations are also curtailed, projected to operate at only 24% capacity, translating to just 234 of the 974 trains scheduled to run.
The detailed strike calendar outlines full-day strikes on March 17, March 26, and April 1, alongside partial stoppages in designated hours on the intervening days.
Translation:
Translated by AI
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