Spanish drivers strike, transport delays or disruptions

According to foreign media reports, 85% of Spain's train drivers and the railway union (SEMAF) announced strike plans on Tuesday afternoon, so Renfe trains will continue to strike for 13 days from September 30 to October 12. The strike across the Spanish railway service network is expected to disrupt the transportation of containers in and out of Spain and may cause interruptions.

According to the latest news, during the 13 days of the strike , except for the partial time periods on October 4 and October 7 when normal operating frequency will be restored, Renfe trains will only provide the minimum service frequency throughout the day during the remaining periods.

It is understood that SEMAF said that the board of directors of the national railway operator used the epidemic as an excuse to lay off 700 people. The strike demand of the Spanish Train Drivers and Railway Workers Union (SEMAF) is to call on the Spanish government to meet the standards of the latest labor plan, so that it can hire more drivers to ease the current operating pressure of Renfe trains and transfer responsibilities to the autonomous regions as promised.

And another railway workers' union - Sindicato Ferriviario - will also call on workers to strike on the same day to protest the fact that Renfe will be thrown into chaos.

Danish shipping company Maersk recently announced that it is looking for alternatives and warned customers that delays may occur. Maersk advises: "To mitigate the impact, we recommend that you plan ahead and consider using trucks; please also request other modes of transport in advance so that we can confirm whether they are available."

A regional spokesman for Maersk said: “We hope that the parties to the dispute can find a sustainable solution as soon as possible, so that the Spanish supply chain does not affect the entire logistics ecosystem.”

It is hoped that the Spanish government can negotiate with the striking workers as soon as possible, strive to end the drivers' strike and other activities as soon as possible, so that Spain's Renfe railway transportation can return to normal order and railway traffic can operate normally.

Spanish drivers strike, transport delays or disruptions