Spain’s national rail operator Renfe will endure its second 24-hour walkout of the summer on Wednesday 15 July after talks with the Sindicato Ferroviario collapsed. The Ministry of Transport has mandated minimum services covering 73 % of AVE and long-distance services, 66 % of Media Distancia and up to 75 % of Cercanías at peak hours. Although the first strike on 29 June registered just 1.8 % participation, union leaders say support has grown amid anger over the planned sale of Renfe Mercancías and closure of maintenance depots. The walkout coincides with the first peak travel week of Spain’s summer holidays and could disrupt business travellers heading to Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. Employers with commuters on cross-border assignments inside Spain should activate contingency plans: airlines report a 4–6 % uptick in domestic bookings, and intercity coach firms have added extra capacity. Renfe is offering free ticket exchanges, but reimbursements may take up to ten days. If the dispute drags on, further stoppages are scheduled for 22 and 29 July. Corporate travel managers should monitor service-minimum decrees, which the government can tighten or relax at 48 hours’ notice.
Source: Europa Press
