Semaf keeps Tuesday and Thursday train drivers' strike despite progress cited by Cuerpo

The Spanish train drivers' union Semaf is keeping the strike called at Renfe for Tuesday November 10 and Thursday November 12, the eve and the day after the general strike of Wednesday November 11, CanalSur reported on Monday. The union announced a full stoppage on Tuesday and partial stoppages on Thursday, according to ACN, and justifies it by the "blocking of rail safety commitments".

Carlos Cuerpo, first deputy prime minister and economy minister, who has also taken on the transport portfolio after the resignation of Óscar Puente, highlighted "significant progress" in the talks in Brussels on Monday and said draft regulatory texts had been exchanged with the union over the weekend, according to Europa Press. Cuerpo said Semaf's demands were "essentially" about safety at work.

According to Renfe, the Transport Ministry has set minimum services for those two days of 75% on Cercanías commuter rail at peak times (06:00 to 09:00, 13:30 to 15:30 and 18:30 to 20:30) and 50% for the rest of the day, an average of 65% on Media Distancia regional services, 72% on high-speed and long-distance services and 20% on freight. On Rodalies de Catalunya, Tuesday's minimum services are 66% at peak times and 33% for the rest of the day, according to its website.

If there is no agreement, the strike will be repeated on the 17th, when workers at Iryo, Ouigo, Adif and five freight operators will join, according to CanalSur. Renfe's statements do not specify which lines, timetables or individual trains will run, according to Hosteltur.