If holidaymakers were thinking about taking the train instead of the car to visit their holiday destination, then they had better think again, owing to a coming rail strike.
Today from 00:01h to 23:59h Renfe will suffer a 24-hour strike, which will affect both those on holiday, as well as those that commute by train to work. It will also affect high-speed, long-distance and medium-distance services, as well as the commuter trains.
Just in case you miss that one (strike, not a train) then there is another 24-hour strike of the 5th of July. The workers union for Railway employees, Sindicato Ferroviario, denounced a breach of agreements reached in November 2023 and the “premeditated” of the Freight (Mercancías) service.
The strike will force the cancellation of 320 trains across high-speed, long-distance, and medium-distance services. According to the minimum services accorded between the union and the Transport Ministry, out of the 360 high-speed and long-distance trains scheduled for this Monday, 98 will be suspended, while 222 out of the 642 planned medium-distance trains will be canceled.
As for medium-distance service, Renfe will maintain 420 trains, representing 65% of the scheduled trips. In the case of commuter trains (Cercanías), minimum services have been set at 75% during peak hours and 50% during the rest of the day.
The future of Renfe Mercancías (Renfe Freight) is the source of the conflict: The Railway Union accuses the company of driving a process of decline within the service and rejects the creation of a 50/50 joint venture with Medway (a company belonging to the MSC group) believing there are insufficient guarantees for the workforce; i.e., there will be lay-offs.
It also appears that Renfe is planning to outsource the maintenane of 65 series/333.3 locomotives, something that until now has been handled by Renfe’s own Engineering & Maintenance staff.
(News: Spain)
Keywords: National Rail Strike, Renfe, Freight Service, Mercancías, Engineerng & Maintenance, Medway, MSC Group, High-Speed, Medium Distance, Commuter Service, 24h Strike
news, spain, national rail strike, renfe, freight service, mercancías, engineerng & maintenance, medway, msc group, high-speed, medium distance, commuter service, 24h strike