Renfe employees are taking part in a second day of strike action across Spain, called by Sindicato Ferroviario to protest what the union describes as the dismantling of the public rail network. The action centers on the planned sale of Renfe Mercancías and the closure of several maintenance facilities. The union accuses the Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC) of putting undue pressure on the sector and favoring private operators over public rail.
Wednesday’s strike has led the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility to set minimum service levels to limit disruption for passengers. On high-speed and long-distance routes, 73% of scheduled trains, 249 out of 343, are guaranteed to operate. The remaining 94 services will depend on strike participation. Minimum service on the Cercanías commuter network varies by time of day: 75% during peak hours and 50% at other times. Medium-distance trains are running at 66% of normal capacity, with 426 of 650 planned services operating.
Sindicato Ferroviario has also called a demonstration for 11:30 a.m. outside Renfe’s Madrid offices in Atocha, denouncing what it calls the company’s “antidemocratic attitude.” The union’s statement criticizes Renfe’s management for presiding over what it sees as the most challenging period in the company’s history. It cites layoffs during previous strikes and the privatization of Renfe Mercancías, as well as the closure of workshops. The union also alleges that Renfe has tried to undermine strike action by failing to respect minimum service agreements and infringing on the right to strike.
Renfe says the previous strike, on June 29, saw participation of just 1.83%, largely because major unions did not support it. The company says it is preserving impressive services to minimize inconvenience for travelers. The dispute reflects broader tensions within Spain’s public sector as debates over privatization and labor rights intensify. Similar labor actions have recently affected other sectors, including education. The Catalan government urged teachers to reconsider a planned strike at the start of the school year, as detailed in this recent report on teacher strikes in Catalonia.
A separate dispute announced by the Sindicato Español de Maquinistas y Ayudantes Ferroviarios (SEMAF) is scheduled for October 29 and concerns railway safety commitments and working conditions. SEMAF said negotiations through the Comisión de Conflictos had been “unsuccessful”; Renfe says it respects the right to strike but rejects the union’s claim that agreed safety measures have stalled. The 24-hour action is set to run from 00:01 to 23:59 and could affect commuter and medium-distance services across Grupo Renfe. Long-distance and high-speed trains are also in scope, along with freight.
For that separate October stoppage, the Generalitat de Catalunya set minimum services for Rodalies and regional trains at 66% during peak periods and 33% during off-peak periods. The decision, signed by Miquel Sàmper, Catalonia’s minister for business and employment, allows services to be distributed unevenly through the day information from operational needs, while keeping the overall service within those limits. The regional measures apply to Rodalies and regional services in Catalonia.
Spain’s rail system connects major cities and regions. With the strike ongoing, passengers are advised to check schedules and prepare for possible delays or cancellations, especially on routes not covered by minimum service guarantees. The standoff may shape future policy on public transport and labor relations as Spain continues to debate the balance between public service obligations and market competition in its transport sector.
