Lorraine Williamson
Unions representing employees of Spain’s national train operator, Renfe, and the railway infrastructure manager, Adif, have announced a series of strikes in March and April 2025.
The industrial action is in protest against the transfer of the Rodalies commuter rail services in Catalonia to the regional government and concerns over the restructuring of freight operations.
The planned strike dates are as follows:
- March 17: 24-hour full strike
- March 19: Partial strikes from 6.00 am to 9.00 am, 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm, and 9.00 pm to 11.00 pm
- March 24: Partial strikes from 6.30 am to 9.30 am, 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm, and 8.30 pm to 10.30 pm
- March 26: 24-hour full strike
- March 28: Partial strikes from 6.00 am to 9.00 am, 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm, and 8.30 pm to 11.30 pm
- April 1: 24-hour full strike
- April 3: Partial strikes from 6.30 am to 9.30 am, 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm, and 8.30 pm to 10.30 pm
These strikes are expected to affect various services nationwide, including commuter and medium-distance trains.
Reasons for the strikes
The industrial action stems from unions’ dissatisfaction with the Spanish government’s decision to transfer control of the Rodalies commuter rail network in Catalonia to the regional government. Unions argue that this move violates agreements made in November 2023, which assured that Renfe and Adif would continue managing these services without negatively impacting employees.
Additionally, unions express concerns over the restructuring of Renfe’s freight division, Renfe Mercancías. They allege that the entry of logistics company MSC into the capital of a new company managing freight services could lead to job losses and a decline in service quality, describing it as a “covert privatisation.”
Potential impact on travellers
Travellers across Spain should anticipate disruptions during the strike days. The strikes coincide with high-demand periods in certain cities, such as Valencia during the Fallas celebrations. While no actions are currently planned for Semana Santa (Holy Week), travellers are advised to monitor schedules and consider alternative transportation options on strike days.
Union concerns
Unions argue that the transfer of services and restructuring plans could lead to higher public costs due to duplicated roles and reduced economies of scale. They also fear that excluding the R1 line from the national network may compromise safety and connectivity with other European networks, potentially resulting in EU sanctions for violating agreements related to European funding for railway infrastructure.
Government response
The Spanish government has acknowledged the unions’ right to strike and emphasises the importance of dialogue to resolve the issues. The Ministry of Transport has yet to release a detailed response to the unions’ concerns but has indicated a willingness to engage in negotiations to prevent service disruptions.
As the strike dates approach, travellers are encouraged to stay informed about potential disruptions and plan their journeys accordingly.
Also read: Renfe´s next battle, the liberisation of Spain´s commuter rail