By Chris King • Updated: 07 Nov 2022 • 4:45
Image of a Renfe AVE train in Malaga. Credit: S-F/Shutterstock.com
Users of the rail network in Spain face two days of strike action this week, agreed by the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) trade union that represents Renfe workers. Industrial action will take place this Monday, November 7, and again on Friday, November 11. In total, Renfe has cancelled 565 trains: 171 AVE and long distance, and 394 medium distance.
¿Por qué vamos a la #Huelga en @Renfe los días #7N y 11N? Por un #ConvenioJusto, por unos #SalariosDignos, por un #ServicioDeCalidad y porque no negamos a que juegen con nuestro futuro. pic.twitter.com/5cOtWWZbVS — CGT (@CGT) November 6, 2022
¿Por qué vamos a la #Huelga en @Renfe los días #7N y 11N?
Por un #ConvenioJusto, por unos #SalariosDignos, por un #ServicioDeCalidad y porque no negamos a que juegen con nuestro futuro. pic.twitter.com/5cOtWWZbVS
— CGT (@CGT) November 6, 2022
In a statement released on Sunday, the union said the strike action had been called to: “end professional discrimination with the double and triple scales established in the previous collective agreement, stop the increase in the level of employment that puts an end to the gradual professional railway dismantling, and in defence of the public and social railway”.
Basically, the union is demanding an improvement in the working conditions of the workers and a rise in their wages.
El #IIIConvenio de @Renfe no mejora las condiciones laborales de las personas trabajadoras del sector. Desde @SFFCGT #CGT no vamos a ser cómplices de otro circo en nombre de una paz social impuesta a costa de nuestro futuro. Estamos en #Huelga los días #7N y #11N. pic.twitter.com/tyjR0LADIN — CGT (@CGT) November 6, 2022
El #IIIConvenio de @Renfe no mejora las condiciones laborales de las personas trabajadoras del sector. Desde @SFFCGT #CGT no vamos a ser cómplices de otro circo en nombre de una paz social impuesta a costa de nuestro futuro. Estamos en #Huelga los días #7N y #11N. pic.twitter.com/tyjR0LADIN
Spain’s Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda (MITMA) has subsequently determined the minimum mandatory services needed to ensure the provision of essential rail transport services for passengers and goods.
According to the Ministry Resolution, the minimum essential services have been established at 75 per cent during rush hour on Cercanias trains. The rest of the day’s usual service will operate at 50 per cent. This resolution was designed said the Ministry, with the aim of making compatible the right to strike and the right to mobility.
In Medium Distance and Avant trains, an average of 65 per cent of the usual services will be established, while in High Speed and Long Distance trains, they are established at 72 per cent. With regard to Freight trains, 25 per cent of the usual service will circulate.
The Resolution of Minimum Services can be consulted on the Renfe website . It includes all the Media Distancia and AVE, Avlo, Alvia, Euromed, and Intercity trains that will run each day to their usual timetable.
In a statement sent to the media, CGT criticized the minimum services set by the ministry, describing them as ‘totally abusive’. It pointed out that the Cercanias and Media Distancia services will be those most affected by the time cuts in the circulation of trains. They accused the ministry of protecting the AVE service, something they described as ‘absolutely antisocial’.
Regarding the agreement reached last week between the Government and the CCOO and UGT unions, the agreeers of the strikes affirmed that the resolution between the parties supposes a ‘betrayal’ that perpetuates ‘professional discrimination due to the time spent in the categories’, as reported by DiarioDeMalaga.es .
___________________________________________________________
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Do remember to come back and check The Euro Weekly News website for all your up-to-date local and international news stories and remember, you can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram .
Share this story
Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox!
By signing up, you will create a Euro Weekly News account if you don't already have one. Review our Privacy Policy for more information about our privacy practices.
Originally from Wales, Chris spent years on the Costa del Sol before moving to the Algarve where he is a web reporter for The Euro Weekly News covering international and Spanish national news. Got a news story you want to share? Then get in touch at editorial@euroweeklynews.com
By signing up, you will create a Euro Weekly News account if you don’t already have one. Review our Privacy Policy for more information about our privacy practices.
Download our media pack in either English or Spanish.