CCOO, UGT and the train drivers’ union Semaf have reached an agreement in principle with the Spanish Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility that has led to the cancellation of the rail strike that began today. For the time being, CGT is maintaining the strike.
The pact, which must be ratified by the general works councils of Renfe and Adif, involves a significant increase in the funds earmarked for network maintenance and in the workforce of the public railway companies. It also includes an increase in the State Railway Safety Agency (AESF).
Landmark agreement to increase maintenance spending
According to Semaf’s secretary general, Diego Martín, the agreement is “historic” and will allow for the reinforcement of both investment in infrastructure and the application of new safety procedures and protocols.
The understanding was reached after the fourth institutional meeting between unions and Transport on Monday, following three meetings last week and several technical contacts over the weekend.
The Ministry, headed by Óscar Puente, valued the dialogue capacity shown by the trade unions and highlighted that the consensus reached “benefits the whole railway system”.
Puente did not attend today’s meeting as he was on his way back from Saudi Arabia, where this Sunday he signed the extension of the contract by which Renfe will continue to operate the Medina-La Meca HST until 2038 and the purchase by SRO of 20 Talgo 350 trains.
The stoppages, initially called for 9, 10 and 11 February, began on Monday, affecting several hundred trains. According to Sílvia Paneque, the Generalitat’s minister of Territory, the minimum services on Rodalies were not being complied with.
Two fatal accidents forced the call for strike action
The unions justified their protest by the lack of staff and investment in infrastructure, following the fatal accidents in recent weeks in Adamuz (Córdoba) and Gélida (Barcelona), which highlighted some deficiencies.
Among the main union demands were the increase of maintenance workers in Adif, the reinforcement of workshops and on-board staff in Renfe, and the activation of specific protocols in adverse weather situations. In addition, they demanded a review of the internal procedures of the EASA to ensure greater technical supervision.
Ministry sources confirmed that details of the agreement will be made public later this afternoon.
Although the cancellation will come into effect once it is ratified by the works councils, it is expected that normal rail services will be restored between this afternoon and tomorrow, Tuesday.
CGT denounces exclusion from negotiations
On the other hand, the CGT, which claimed to have been excluded from the negotiations, criticised Transport’s management of the conflict. The Ministry rejected this accusation and recalled that the talks have been held with the organisations representing the majority of the railway sector.
In a joint statement, the unions pointed out that the agreement lays the foundations to improve the safety and reliability of the Spanish railway system, stressing that the reinforcement of maintenance and staff is “key to prevent accidents and guarantee a quality public service”.