Rail chaos warning for Spain: Workers announce November 17 strike

Passengers travelling by train in Spain face the prospect of widespread disruption in November, with railway unions extending their planned November 17 strike beyond Adif to include Renfe and the private operators Iryo and Ouigo. A separate 24-hour stoppage has also been called at Adif for November 19, adding to the disruption already expected from train drivers’ strikes on November 10 and 12.

Railway workers are demanding urgent improvements to safety procedures, staffing and communication across Spain’s rail network. With several unions now involved, the November action could affect services well beyond the infrastructure operator.

November 17 strike now involves several rail operators

The original 24-hour strike was agreed by Adif’s General Works Council, which brings together five unions: CCOO, UGT, CGT, Sindicato Ferroviario (SF) and Sindicato de Circulación Ferroviario (SCF).Since that announcement on November 3, the planned action has widened. CCOO has extended its call to workers at Renfe, Iryo and Ouigo, with the November 17 mobilisation involving the works councils at Adif and Renfe, as well as CCOO’s union sections at the private operators.

Renfe’s General Works Council had also begun the formal labour-conflict procedure as a step towards industrial action. Semaf, the train drivers’ union, has separately called on drivers at eight railway companies to take part in the November 17 mobilisation. The precise extent of participation across individual operators remains to be established.

Why are railway workers going on strike?

The unions want urgent changes to the way Spain’s railway network is organised and managed. CCOO argues that separating infrastructure management from train operations has weakened coordination and safety procedures, particularly when different operators share the same tracks. The union is calling for a public group of railway companies to restore closer coordination between infrastructure management and train operations

The demands follow the October 28 collision near Urda, where a Renfe AVE train struck an Iryo service that had stopped on the track. The disaster killed 69 people and prompted renewed questions about railway safety and the handling of incidents. It also wants improved communication between control centres and operators, stronger safety protocols, properly staffed services and better-trained employees.  The disaster killed 69 people and prompted renewed questions about railway safety and the handling of incidents. The investigation into the cause of the collision remains separate from the unions’ demands for changes across the sector.

Demonstration planned outside Congress

The strike is not the only action planned by railway workers. The Adif unions have also arranged a demonstration outside the Spanish Congress of Deputies in Madrid on Monday, November 16, the day before the main walkout. The protest is intended to put pressure on political representatives to address railway safety and the organisation of the sector. Adif’s General Works Council is due to meet again on November 18 to assess developments and consider whether further action is needed.

There is also a second 24-hour Adif stoppage to factor in. SCF has called strikes for both November 17 and 19 after its labour-conflict talks ended without agreement. The union is seeking more staff in traffic control centres and stations, alongside changes to technical instructions it believes affect the safe operation of trains.

More train strikes planned in November

The November 17 action is not the first disruption passengers face. Semaf is maintaining its call for a full strike at Renfe on November 10, followed by partial stoppages on November 12. The drivers want progress on railway safety, a review of driving times and clearer procedures for issuing warnings during adverse weather conditions.

Alferro, meanwhile, has moved its own planned stoppages on November 10 and 12 to November 17, in an effort to join the wider mobilisation. Semaf’s separate action on the earlier dates remains in place. CSIF has also announced its support for the planned railway protests and says it will back strikes and demonstrations involving Adif and Renfe.

Will train services be affected?

The scale of disruption is not yet clear. Although the unions have announced their respective strike calls, minimum-service arrangements for November 17 and 19 have not been published in the latest reports available. The involvement of several operators means passengers should not assume the disruption will be confined to Renfe services. Adif manages the infrastructure used by different rail companies, while strikes involving drivers and other operator staff could affect individual services directly.

Anyone planning to travel around November 10, 12, 17 or 19 should check for updates from their train operator before setting off. Renfe, Iryo and Ouigo will be the key sources for service information, including any cancellations, timetable changes and minimum-service arrangements once these are announced. The November strikes are developing into a much wider railway dispute than the original Adif walkout. With further union decisions and negotiations still possible, the extent of disruption for passengers may become clearer in the days ahead.