Rail operator Renfe faced widespread disruption as a series of strikes affected medium and long distance services, including high-speed AVE trains, as well as freight operations. The action drew support from multiple unions and sector bodies, with demonstrations and coordinated work stoppages announced for key dates on national territory, including late November and early December. The protests were timed to coincide with a major national event, amplifying the potential impact on travelers and logistics alike.
In line with a government-backed minimum services plan, a portion of the system remained in operation to maintain essential mobility. The plan guarantees a baseline level of service, varying by time of day and corridor. In certain periods, about three-quarters of the timetable was preserved, while other intervals saw roughly half of the trains continuing to operate. Such measures are designed to balance workers’ rights to protest with the public need for reliable transportation and ongoing freight movements.
Across the broader network, a substantial share of services did continue to run in some form. For medium distance routes, a majority of services stayed on track, with a mix of on-time departures and adjusted timetables. In high-speed and long-distance corridors, a similar pattern emerged: a sizable fraction of trains continued to operate, while a portion ran with reduced frequency or altered routing to accommodate the strike. Freight services also faced adjustments, but a portion remained active to support critical supply chains and commercial flows.
Regarding passenger trains on medium-distance routes, a large portion of the timetable was maintained under the minimum services framework. This approach allowed a defined number of departures and arrivals to proceed, ensuring passenger movement for essential trips while the broader workforce exercised their rights to protest. The exact share of operations under minimum service varied by line and time slot, yet it reflected a deliberate effort to minimize disruption for travelers who rely on regular transit and for businesses that depend on reliable rail freight corridors.
Similarly, many high-speed and long-distance passenger trains continued to run a reduced set of services. The strategy prioritized high-demand routes and peak travel periods, while some trains operated as part of the minimum service guarantee. For freight movements, the plan allowed critical shipments to proceed through key hubs, with the rest of the fleet managed to align with the day’s industrial priorities and labor actions.
During these events, a significant portion of trains affected by the strike operated under the minimum service rules. The data indicate that the share of operations preserved under these rules varied by category and time of day, ensuring that essential connections and supply chains remained accessible to the public and to commerce. The overarching objective was to strike a balance between acknowledging workers’ concerns and sustaining national mobility and economic activity.
The strike was organized with broad backing from the Renfe Group’s General Committee and several professional and labor organizations. Participants included the Spanish Association of Railway Machinists and Helpers, the major trade unions CCOO and UGT, and the Federal Railway Sector of the General Confederation of Labour, among others. The action also drew solidarity from allied bodies within the rail sector and related labor fronts, signaling a unified stance on the issue of workforce conditions and reorganizations within the rail network. The protest was further supported by broader labor movements that aimed to draw attention to regional transportation concerns and related policy changes affecting Rodalies and its operations.
Observers noted that the timing of the actions amplified their visibility, with a general strike calendar also marking the same period. The convergence of these events underscored the potential for cascading effects across regional and national transport plans, affecting commuter flows, intercity connections, and freight availability. Stakeholders across government, rail operators, and the business community prepared contingency measures to mitigate the impact on travelers, ensure essential service continuity, and communicate clear guidance to the public as the situation developed.