Travel chaos threat as train drivers begin series of strikes across Spain

Workers for Renfe, Spain’s public train operator and  Adif, which is responsible for most of Spain’s railway infrastructure, have been striking every Friday since the start of September over a number of issues including the breakdown of negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement.

The strike was suspended last week after Catalonia's train network ground to a halt after a suspected act of sabotage, but was expected to recommence this Friday. 

The first strike time was slated to be between 12am and 2am on Friday morning with later strikes expected to be staged between 1pm and 3pm and 8pm and 10pm.

The Ministry of Transport has promised to provide a minimum service during the strike hours which will see 72 percent of AVE high-speed trains running.

The ministry will also guarantee a minimum service on local trains of 75 percent during rush hour and 50 percent during the rest of the day according to Spanish newspaper ABC.

The strikes have been chugging on for the last month after being called by a group of unions including the national workers’ union the CCOO.  

The unions are calling for a replacement plan for aging personnel as well as protesting against the breakdown of negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement,