Spain’s powerful CCOO union has warned it will call an indefinite strike covering road freight, inter-city coaches, and possibly ports if the government fails to publish long-promised early-retirement criteria for professional drivers. The ultimatum, reported by the Majorca Daily Bulletin on 27 April, comes as the six-month legal deadline to finalise the rules expires this week. Union leader Francisco Vegas says Social Security officials have yet to issue a single technical report required under Royal Decree 402/2025. Without the documentation, thousands of pending retirement files could lapse, potentially forcing older drivers to stay on the road through Spain’s peak summer traffic season. A coordinated stoppage by freight hauliers and coach operators could paralyse airport shuttle links, inter-island ferries’ feeder services and last-mile deliveries to resorts, leaving tourists scrambling for rental cars amid already tight supply. Travel-risk consultancies are advising tour operators to increase contingency budgets and pre-book private transfers where possible. Companies running group incentives in Spain in May or June should negotiate force-majeure clauses with coach suppliers and consider rail alternatives on the mainland. The Transport Ministry has not commented publicly, but insiders say talks are ongoing. If no agreement emerges, industry analysts fear echoes of Spain’s 2022 truckers’ strike, which caused fuel shortages and stranded visitors during Easter week.
Source: Majorca Daily Bulletin
