Railroads are the arteries that form the backbone of our daily lives, but lately the clatter of train cars carries a much more bitter echo. After the first day of the strike—which also served as a time of mourning for colleagues and the victims of a recent tragic accident—the SEMAF union has decided to continue its protests to demand real safety guarantees in transportation.
With participation that the union estimates at 100% (compared to the 26.63% reported by Renfe by mid-afternoon), the organization has already mapped out its new roadmap. Trains will come to a halt again on November 10 and 12 with a combination of full and partial work stoppages—measures aimed at forcing an immediate and structural change in the safety of the rail network.
On which days will the November train drivers’ strike take place?
The silence on the platforms during the last day of the strike reflected a particularly difficult day for railroad workers. SEMAF’s executive committee has publicly thanked the train drivers for the commitment and fortitude they demonstrated during such a challenging time. For the organization, this unwavering unity sends a resounding message that, they assert, cannot be ignored by any decision-makers.
Far from calling off the mobilization, the union has set the exact times for its upcoming actions. On Tuesday, November 10, the strike will be total and continuous, lasting from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Two days later, on November 12, the protest will take the form of partial work stoppages divided into three key time slots for commuters: from 6:20 a.m. to 9:20 a.m., from 2:20 p.m. to 5:20 p.m., and in the evening, from 9:20 p.m. to 11:20 p.m.
The message from those who sit at the controls of trains every day is clear: they refuse to continue bearing the consequences of the network’s structural problems. SEMAF warns that train drivers cannot be used to “cover up their lack of management and will.” In a firm tone, they remind us that the safety of professionals and the very lives of citizens are red lines that, under no circumstances, can be compromised.
