Train unions call seven-day strike against transfer of Rodalies control to Catalonia

The largest labor unions at Spain's public train operator, Renfe, and at the public rail manager, Adif, are calling on a seven-day strike against the transfer of the Rodalies commuter train service to Catalonia.

Unions are also against the "privatization" of freight transport, as the transport company MSC will operate such services now. MSC is one of the world's largest freight companies and is also one of the biggest cruise ship groups.

The major unions, including CCOO, UGT, SEMAF, and CGT, called on striking on seven days across March and April: March 17, 19, 24, 26, and 28, and April 1, and 3.

Full strikes are scheduled on March 17, March 26, and April 1. Meanwhile, on the other four days, unions are calling for a stop to work for around three hours per day.

Some of those days coincide with the Valencian region's major festivities of 'Les Falles', and a couple of weeks before Easter Week.

Unions are calling the strikes as they believe Spain's transport ministry is "not complying" with the agreements reached in 2023 to call off another strike.

The strike also tackles the Rodalies transfer to Catalonia, which was part of a deal between pro-independence Esquerra Republicana and Socialists to see Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez reelected back in November 2023.