Politics · Spain · 7 hrs ago
Rail strike puts Renfe chief’s position under pressure
A train drivers’ strike disrupted commuter services in Spain and put pressure on Renfe president Álvaro Fernández Heredia.
The dispute has strained relations between Renfe and Semaf, the powerful train drivers’ union.
Transport chief Carlos Cuerpo is weighing changes at Renfe and Adif, with a greater focus on technical leadership, but no decision has been made to remove Fernández Heredia.
The dispute comes after three serious rail accidents this year, which together left 116 people dead, according to the account of events.
The government has approved new rail safety measures, including stronger inspection powers and allowing drivers to stop trains when they see a risk.
Semaf has postponed a planned further strike until the 23rd, giving more time for talks over safety demands.
A train drivers’ strike has weakened confidence in Renfe president Álvaro Fernández Heredia, while Transport Minister Carlos Cuerpo has not decided whether to dismiss him.
The strike disrupted Cercanías and Rodalies services on Tuesday, November 10, amid a dispute over railway safety measures.
Cuerpo has been exchanging draft rules with the train drivers’ union Semaf and says he wants to advance its demands.
The government approved measures to strengthen railway safety, including giving train drivers authority to stop traffic when they see dangerous conditions.
A further Semaf strike planned for Thursday was postponed and rescheduled for November 23.
- Who
- Renfe president Álvaro Fernández Heredia is under pressure. The dispute involves the government and train drivers’ union Semaf.
- What
- A train drivers’ strike disrupted services and raised questions about Fernández Heredia’s position. The union is seeking concrete railway safety measures.
- When
- The strike disrupted services on November 10, 2026. A further Semaf strike was postponed to November 23.
- Where
- The disruption affected Cercanías and Rodalies services in Spain.
- Why
- Semaf is seeking safety measures, including changes to procedures for extreme weather and repairs at speed-restricted points.
Spanish government
Semaf
Safety measures
Spanish government
The government says it has approved measures and is exchanging draft rules with the union.
Semaf
Semaf is seeking concrete, material and verifiable safety measures.
Strike action
Spanish government
Cuerpo says he hopes progress on the union’s demands will ease the disruption.
Semaf
Semaf called strikes to press for safety measures.
The government and train drivers reached an agreement to avert an earlier strike.
Two days after the Urda accident, former transport minister Óscar Puente raised whether the Madrid-Barcelona high-speed line should close during renewal works.
Cuerpo said the Madrid-Barcelona line would not close, and said the government had exchanged draft rules with train drivers over the weekend.
A train drivers’ strike disrupted Cercanías and Rodalies services.
The government approved railway safety measures, and a further Semaf strike planned for Thursday was postponed to November 23.
- Renfe president
- Álvaro Fernández Heredia
- Transport minister
- Carlos Cuerpo
- Union
- Semaf
- Strike disruption
- Cercanías and Rodalies services
- Further Semaf strike
- Postponed to November 23
3 sources
La huelga de maquinistas deja en el aire la presidencia de Renfe mientras Cuerpo busca primer ejecutivo para Adif
Los maquinistas aplazan la protesta del próximo jueves al 23 de noviembre por los avances logrados con Cuerpo
Cuerpo zanja el debate y se "compromete" a no cerrar la Madrid-Barcelona mientras espera "avanzar" con los maquinistas
What people are saying
The priority now is to be able to advance on their demands.
We will continue trying to incorporate their requests on workplace safety because it is important, and from there we hope the situation with the stoppages will ease.