Union Strikes at Renfe to Commence Monday Amidst Ongoing Negotiations
Transport Ministry's efforts to avert the strike fall short as unions plan a week-long work stoppage.
The Spanish transport sector is poised for disruption as unions have confirmed a continuation of their planned strike at Renfe and Adif, set to begin this coming Monday.
The strike, which will last for seven days starting with a 24-hour work stoppage, is a response to the transfer of management of the Rodalies commuter train services to the Generalitat of Catalonia and concerns regarding the status of Renfe's freight division.
Despite efforts by the Ministry of Transport to negotiate an agreement in the two days leading up to the strike, no resolution has been reached.
Union representatives indicated that two recent meetings aimed at finding common ground were unsuccessful.
The first of these discussions took place on Thursday, failing to produce a satisfactory outcome, while a subsequent five-hour meeting did not yield any agreement either.
Ministry officials have stated that, although negotiations have not yet concluded, they remain open, with ongoing dialogue between the Ministry and the Generalitat aimed at reaching a consensus before the strike begins.
Union leaders argue that the establishment of Rodalies Catalunya, a new entity to manage the commuter trains, violates previous agreements made to suspend an earlier strike.
These agreements stipulated that Renfe would continue providing Rodalies and freight services, maintain workforce integrity in both companies, and establish negotiation groups for collaborative solutions.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the Generalitat's request to exclude the R1 line from the General Interest Railway Network (RFIG), which would exempt it from European safety and operational standards.
This potential exclusion could result in a reduction of safety standards and hinder interoperability with the broader Spanish and European rail networks.
Moreover, as the infrastructure is partially financed by European funds aimed at enhancing rail interoperability, this exclusion could lead to sanctions for non-compliance with established concession terms.
In an attempt to address the unions' demands, the Ministry presented a proposal to integrate Rodalies Catalunya within the Renfe group, ensuring respect for labor rights according to the group’s collective agreement.
Regarding the R1 line, the Ministry's document indicates that after the transfer of ownership from the national government to the Generalitat for a specific section of the R1 line, the Generalitat will ensure interoperability for that line, with the operation continuing under ADIF's comprehensive management.
The process will include consultations with legal representatives of the workers.
On freight operations, unions have expressed opposition to the partial privatization that would permit MSC's entry into Renfe's freight sector.
Nevertheless, the Ministry has committed to ensuring the involvement and agreement of unions in any changes to the business model.
The Ministry continues to pursue an agreement with MSC while working on establishing a new company to manage traction and maintenance services for Renfe.
According to the Ministry, they are also working on necessary changes to optimize the management of freight services, aiming for improvements in both commercial policy and service execution, with the intent of expanding Renfe Mercancías’ operational scope.
The strike, which will last for seven days starting with a 24-hour work stoppage, is a response to the transfer of management of the Rodalies commuter train services to the Generalitat of Catalonia and concerns regarding the status of Renfe's freight division.
Despite efforts by the Ministry of Transport to negotiate an agreement in the two days leading up to the strike, no resolution has been reached.
Union representatives indicated that two recent meetings aimed at finding common ground were unsuccessful.
The first of these discussions took place on Thursday, failing to produce a satisfactory outcome, while a subsequent five-hour meeting did not yield any agreement either.
Ministry officials have stated that, although negotiations have not yet concluded, they remain open, with ongoing dialogue between the Ministry and the Generalitat aimed at reaching a consensus before the strike begins.
Union leaders argue that the establishment of Rodalies Catalunya, a new entity to manage the commuter trains, violates previous agreements made to suspend an earlier strike.
These agreements stipulated that Renfe would continue providing Rodalies and freight services, maintain workforce integrity in both companies, and establish negotiation groups for collaborative solutions.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the Generalitat's request to exclude the R1 line from the General Interest Railway Network (RFIG), which would exempt it from European safety and operational standards.
This potential exclusion could result in a reduction of safety standards and hinder interoperability with the broader Spanish and European rail networks.
Moreover, as the infrastructure is partially financed by European funds aimed at enhancing rail interoperability, this exclusion could lead to sanctions for non-compliance with established concession terms.
In an attempt to address the unions' demands, the Ministry presented a proposal to integrate Rodalies Catalunya within the Renfe group, ensuring respect for labor rights according to the group’s collective agreement.
Regarding the R1 line, the Ministry's document indicates that after the transfer of ownership from the national government to the Generalitat for a specific section of the R1 line, the Generalitat will ensure interoperability for that line, with the operation continuing under ADIF's comprehensive management.
The process will include consultations with legal representatives of the workers.
On freight operations, unions have expressed opposition to the partial privatization that would permit MSC's entry into Renfe's freight sector.
Nevertheless, the Ministry has committed to ensuring the involvement and agreement of unions in any changes to the business model.
The Ministry continues to pursue an agreement with MSC while working on establishing a new company to manage traction and maintenance services for Renfe.
According to the Ministry, they are also working on necessary changes to optimize the management of freight services, aiming for improvements in both commercial policy and service execution, with the intent of expanding Renfe Mercancías’ operational scope.
Translation:
Translated by AI
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