Train drivers across Spain conducted a work stoppage on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, to demand increased investment in rail maintenance and safety protocols. The labor action follows two fatal train collisions on the high-speed Madrid-Seville line earlier this year that resulted in a total of 115 deaths.
The strike occurred amid a period of leadership transition within the Spanish government. Last week, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez appointed Deputy Carlos Cuerpo to lead the Transport Ministry on a provisional basis. The appointment followed the resignation of former minister Oscar Puente after the two high-speed rail accidents.
State train operator Renfe reported that 40% of long- and medium-distance services were cancelled on Tuesday, affecting 4,042 passengers. In Madrid, 90% of commuter network services were cancelled, while Barcelona saw a 50% reduction in local service. The drivers' union, Semaf, stated that its members were adhering to government-mandated minimum service quotas and attributed delays to poor management of scheduled trains.
The government approved new safety measures on Tuesday, including a clarification of how driver operating hours are calculated and the creation of an ombudsman for public transport accident victims. Other measures include enhanced communication channels for staff to report safety concerns and increased autonomy for workers to stop or refuse to start a train if they detect a risk. These steps follow the most recent collision last month, which killed 69 people after a controller ordered a train to proceed despite a signal failure.
The concrete day-to-day impact for travelers included significant delays and intermittent service, with some regional operators in Catalonia reporting that minimum service requirements were not being met. These disruptions coincide with a national period of mourning, as King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia attended a funeral in Toledo on Tuesday for the 69 victims of the most recent crash. The labor action highlights an ongoing dispute between the Semaf union and the government over safety on Europe's most extensive high-speed network, following the abandonment of safety talks in April 2026.
Further disruption is expected on Wednesday, November 11, during a scheduled general strike. This broader action is anticipated to impact public transit and lead to the closure or slowdown of businesses, factories, and shops nationwide. The government has not yet indicated when or if formal negotiations with the train drivers' union will resume following the implementation of the safety measures approved this week.