Train drivers across all companies within Grupo Renfe are set to walk out for 24 hours on 29th October, following a strike call by the railway union Semaf. The stoppage will run from 00:01 to 23:59 and applies to all driving staff across the state rail group. The action adds to planned strikes at French operator Ouigo, where 24-hour walkouts are scheduled for 30th October and 2nd November, followed by further partial stoppages on subsequent days.
In an internal communication, Semaf, the majority union in the sector, stated that the action was called after initial dispute resolution mechanisms failed. A recent meeting with the Ministry of Transport, Adif, the State Agency for Railway Safety (AESF), and Renfe highlighted an administrative block on previously signed agreements. These agreements cover railway safety, emergency weather protocols, the recruitment of new drivers, response procedures for collisions, and rolling stock reliability.
The union, which formally raised a conflict commission on 5th October, expressed frustration on Friday that progress remains as paralysed as it was in May. Semaf criticised the administration and railway companies for blaming slow bureaucratic coordination among multiple bodies, calling it an unacceptable excuse when legal regulations can be approved within weeks if the political will exists.
Drivers are demanding binding protocols for weather alerts and clear regulations to coordinate emergency communications so that operational urgency is never prioritised over safety. Their demands also include a direct communication channel between unions, the AESF, and the Labour Inspectorate, alongside definitive technical solutions for ongoing security and reliability issues. On working conditions, drivers are seeking proper enforcement of driving breaks, the unblocking of early retirement age coefficients, and full compliance with recent Renfe agreements regarding entry-level drivers once their initial training month ends.
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