Spanish train drivers strike as crash state funeral held

Résumé détaillé

Spanish train drivers went on strike today to demand more investment in maintenance after Spain's second major rail crash this year, but delayed a further strike planned for…

Spanish train drivers went on strike today to demand more investment in maintenance after Spain's second major rail crash this year, but delayed a further strike planned for Thursday after the government approved a package of safety measures.

Still, services will be disrupted tomorrow during a 24-hour nationwide walkout called by unions to increase pressure on political leaders over Spain's housing crisis ahead of a snap election on November 29.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez last week appointed his deputy, Carlos Cuerpo, to provisionally run the Transport Ministry after Oscar Puente resigned over two fatal crashes on the same high-speed Madrid-Seville line this year which killed 115 people.

After negotiations with train drivers' union Semaf, Spain's cabinet today approved measures including improved channels for railway ⁠staff to communicate safety concerns and more autonomy to take decisions such as stopping or not restarting a train if they detect a risk in doing so.

It also created an ombudsman position for victims of public transport accidents.

"Given this real change of heart by the government ... Semaf has decided to replace the strike planned for November 12 with a new strike on November 23," the union said in a statement.

About 40% of long- and medium-distance services were cancelled today, affecting 4,042 passengers, state train operator Renfe said, while 90% of services on Madrid's commuter network and 50% of Barcelona's local services were cancelled.

"This is chaos," said Candida Hiciano, 60, as she tried ⁠to catch a train at Madrid's Atocha station. "Anyway, we're going to try to get to work, come what may."

In the Catalonia region, operator ‌Rodalies said trains were running late due to non-compliance with requirements for a minimum service.

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