city, intercity and state bus drivers will continue their general strike across Spain on thursday and Friday, november 28 and 29 to demand early retirement in the sector, with minimum services set at 50% at state level.
According to the resolution on minimum services of the Ministry of Transport and Urban Mobility, 50% of currently authorized shipments will have to be carried out. if it is a route consisting of a single shipment, it will be carried out in its entirety.
Major companies providing long-distance bus services will contact ticket holders whose service has had to be suspended, offering them a free exchange.
This is the second day of a total of seven days announced, after the one that took place on October 28th. It was also scheduled for November 11th but was canceled due to the effects of DANA.
On this occasion it is supported by the CCOO, which represent over 40% of the sector, and by the CGT, after UGT and SLT withdrew from the tender after having signed a commitment with the employers’ associations Confebús, Anetra and Atuc to ask for the early retirement to administrations once a royal decree comes into force.
For CCOO this commitment is not enough, since the date has been tied to the approval of that royal decree, presumably in February, but it could be later. The union also claims that in the rest of the transport sectors, such as road haulage, the commitment was to request it within 20 days.
Autonomous communities and city councils have also established minimum services in their respective regions. Such as,in Catalonia they will be 40% during peak hours and 20% during the rest,while in Madrid intercity buses will carry out 80% of their services during peak hours and 45% during off-peak hours.
Likewise, in Cantabria they will be 30%, in Navarra 40% and in Gran Canaria 50%.As for the cities, for example in Palma it will be 50%, in Pamplona 60% during peak hours and 40% during off-peak hours, and in Mérida 50%.
After this Thursday and Friday, the strike will resume on December 5 and 9, and from December 23 indefinitely if an agreement between unions and employers is not reached first.
What are the main demands being made by bus drivers during the ongoing strike in Spain?
Interview with Transport Expert: Understanding the Ongoing Bus Drivers’ Strike in Spain
Time.news Editor (TNE): Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent bus drivers’ strike taking place across Spain on November 28 and 29. With a significant impact on public transportation, can you explain the main reasons behind this strike?
Expert (E): Absolutely, and thank you for having me. The primary cause of the strike is the demand for early retirement options for bus drivers in the sector. Unions such as CCOO, which represents over 40% of bus drivers, are pushing for this crucial change, arguing that the current commitments made by employers aren’t sufficient. They are concerned about the timeline linked to the approval of a royal decree, which could perhaps delay any progress.
TNE: It seems the strike has gained notable attention,especially since it follows a previous strike on October 28. Why are these actions occurring now,and how are they structured?
E: The timing is critical; this current action is part of a planned series of strikes that will span seven days,with future dates already set for December. The strikers are seeking immediate change, and as part of the resolution from the Ministry of Transport and Urban Mobility, at least 50% of authorized services must continue during the strike, ensuring that some level of public transport remains operational.
TNE: Could you elaborate on how different regions in Spain are responding to the strike in terms of minimum services?
E: Certainly! Each autonomous community and city has established varying minimum service levels. For instance, Catalonia has set theirs to 40% during peak hours and 20% during off-peak times, while in Madrid, intercity bus services are required to maintain 80% during peak times and 45% otherwise. These decisions aim to balance the impact of the strike while still providing essential services to the public.
TNE: How are passengers being accommodated during this disruption, especially those holding tickets for affected routes?
E: Major long-distance bus companies are proactively reaching out to ticket holders whose services have been disrupted, offering them free exchanges. This is crucial in maintaining customer trust and minimizing dissatisfaction during the strike.
TNE: What implications does this strike have for the broader transport industry in Spain?
E: This strike might set a precedent for other transport sectors, especially if unions see success in their negotiations. As CCOO points out, there is a disparity in commitments across different transport sectors, with road haulage unions receiving a more immediate commitment for early retirement requests.If bus drivers succeed, it could encourage similar movements in other areas, which would significantly reshape labor conditions in the transport industry.
TNE: And looking ahead,what advice would you give to readers who rely on bus services during this strike period?
E: My advice is to stay informed about service updates from their local bus companies.They should also consider choice transportation options, such as carpooling, bicycles, or rideshare services, especially during peak hours when bus services might potentially be more limited.Furthermore, planning ahead and allowing extra time for travel will be essential to avoid delays.
TNE: Thank you for your insights, they provide valuable context for our readers as they navigate this situation.
E: Thank you for having me, and I hope this facts helps clarify the complexities of the ongoing strike and its potential impact on public transport in Spain.