The stoppage will run from 00:01 to 23:59 on both days and covers the entire train-driver workforce. The action affects Renfe’s Rodalies de Catalunya and regional services. On 12 November, SEMAF’s strike periods are scheduled for 06:20 to 09:20, 14:20 to 17:20 and 21:20 to 23:20; ALFERRO’s call reportedly covers the full day.
Under the minimum-service rules, trains must operate at 66% of usual levels from 06:00 to 09:30 and from 17:00 to 20:30. The requirement falls to 33% for the rest of the day. Those percentages may be distributed unevenly according to operational needs, but cannot exceed the set limits. Staff must also be available for urgent repairs and maintenance that cannot be postponed, as well as to run railway management centres. The minimum-service order, EMT/219/2026, was published in the Official Gazette of Catalonia on 5 November.
The unions SEMAF and ALFERRO called the strike to press for negotiations to resume and for commitments on rail safety to be fulfilled. SEMAF says working groups tasked with developing new safety rules and procedures for emergencies have been suspended since April. The dispute follows an agreement reached on 9 February by SEMAF, the Transport Ministry, Renfe and infrastructure manager Adif, which established working groups to review safety procedures and develop new operating rules. SEMAF says the work has not advanced at the promised pace. The union kept the strike calls in place after a meeting with government representatives that it described as producing no progress. The dispute comes amid heightened concern over railway safety following the Adamuz crash, which reports said killed 46 people, and a fatal train-driver accident at Gelida in Catalonia. Separately, coverage of a rail safety debate reported that Salvador Illa backed keeping Madrid–Barcelona high-speed trains running during necessary upgrades.
The essential-service requirement covers passenger rail services operated by Grupo Renfe in Catalonia. SEMAF has also extended its strike call to drivers at Renfe, Iryo, Ouigo, Transfesa, Continental Rail, Tracción Rail, Captrain and Medway. Other railway unions were considering whether to join the action, while separate industrial action by Adif workers was expected on 17 November.
