🚆🛠️ Major unions call off railway strike after reaching preliminary agreement with Ministry of Transport

Oneliner

The major railway unions in Spain have called off a nationwide strike that began on 9 February after reaching a preliminary agreement with the Ministry of Transport. The agreement focuses on improving safety, maintenance, and staffing levels in the rail system, which has faced scrutiny following recent accidents. The strike had led to the cancellation of over 350 trains, significantly disrupting services. Negotiations will continue to finalize the agreement and address remaining union concerns.

Key points

• Unions Semaf, CCOO, and UGT called off the strike after a preliminary agreement with the Ministry of Transport.
• The agreement includes commitments to improve safety, maintenance, and staffing levels in the rail system.
• The strike, which began on 9 February, had already led to the cancellation of over 350 trains.
• Negotiations will continue to finalize the agreement and address remaining union concerns.

Links

• ABC: Los maquinistas inician una huelga de tres días que pone en jaque el servicio en toda España
• efe.com: La huelga ferroviaria arranca con escasez de trenes en las estaciones de Cataluña
• ABC: Huelga de maquinistas de Renfe, en directo: incidencias en trenes Cercanías, AVE, Media Distancia, Rodalies, servicios mínimos y últimas noticias hoy
• ABC: La huelga de trenes no afectará a ninguna de las frecuencias de Toledo
• ABC: La huelga ferroviaria arranca con 350 trenes cancelados y el servicio de Cercanías al 50%
• ABC: Transportes convoca a los sindicatos a una cuarta reunión para tratar de llegar a un acuerdo
• ABC: Huelga de maquinistas de Renfe: trenes afectados en Cercanías, AVE, Media Distancia, Iryo y Ouigo hoy, lunes 9 de febrero
• Público: Los sindicatos mayoritarios desconvocan la huelga de ferrocarril

Facts

• The strike began on 9 February and was called off after a fourth meeting with the Ministry of Transport.
• Over 350 trains were cancelled during the strike, affecting high-speed and commuter services.
• The preliminary agreement includes commitments to improve safety, maintenance, and staffing levels.
• The unions involved represent over 80% of the sector's workforce.

Quotes

• The unions have described it as historic and have made clear that it includes improvements in investment, maintenance and staffing — Ministry of Transport spokesperson.
• The strike is the only legal avenue left to workers to demand the restoration of safety standards in the rail system — Semaf.

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