Train driver’s union confirms strikes in September

SEMAF, the Spanish train drivers’ union, has confirmed a series of 24-hour strikes on September 4, 11, 14 and 15.

The strike concerns the lack of new drivers being brought into Renfe, as the average age of a driver is now over 54 years, and an overall shortage of suitable staff.

The union claims that an agreement was reached in May with Renfe Group management whereby they would “develop a coherent and ordered strategy which would permit a satisfactory answer to the existing serious problem in human resources and train driving personnel.”

Apart from staffing levels, there is also the question of a new wage agreement, which also appears to have stalled.

Renfe recently reported it was anticipating a return to profit in 2016.