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Spain & Italy Train Strikes Threaten Travel Chaos
28 Oct
Summary
- Spanish train drivers strike Thursday, impacting national rail services.
- Italy faces nationwide strike Friday affecting trains and flights.
- Strikes cite safety, working conditions, wages, and cost of living concerns.
Travelers planning trips to Spain and Italy should prepare for significant transportation disruptions as workers announce upcoming strikes. In Spain, train drivers are scheduled for a 24-hour strike on Thursday, October 29, affecting Renfe's national passenger rail services. The SEMAF union cited railway safety, working conditions, and unfulfilled commitments as reasons for their action.
Despite the strike, Spain's government mandates minimum service levels, requiring 73% of high-speed and long-distance trains, and 65% of medium-distance trains, to operate. Renfe has stated its compliance with an agreement to improve the rail system and denied responsibility for certain union concerns.
Italy is facing a nationwide general strike on Friday, October 30, with transportation workers participating. Rail workers plan to strike from Thursday evening through Friday evening. Additionally, ground-handling workers at Florence and Pisa airports are set for a separate 24-hour strike.
The Italian strikes are motivated by concerns over the cost of living, wages, pensions, and opposition to increased military spending. These actions add to broader unrest within Italy, prompting government deployment of additional soldiers in Milan.
