RAILWAY boards ADIF and RENFE have announced strike action over July 31 and August 1 at a time when tens of thousands of employees in big cities start their month-long annual leave and travel to coast and countryside for their holidays.
They intend to down tools in protest over plans to privatise Spain's rail services, which could leave hundreds out of a job or forced to move house.
According to various unions behind the strike, ADIF has 'unilaterally' decided to relocate up to 400 employees – even though many may not be able to do so as they are not in a position to live in a different part of the country.
And ADIF 'has not provided a solution' for around 1,000 members of staff whose job involves selling RENFE tickets in stations, a role which could disappear once new, private rail companies are able to enter the market.
Restructures, which will involve job losses, have been announced, say the unions.
ADIF will lose 5,000 employees and RENFE will shed 1,139 jobs if the plans go ahead.
According to one of the unions, the labourers' commission (CCOO), Spain has the fewest employees of all train companies in Europe, to the point of being insufficient, 'affecting quality of service and passenger safety'.
And the general workers' union (UGT) says it has been 'repeatedly warning' the rail boards of the consequences of existing under-staffing and how they will be exacerbated to 'intolerable levels' if more employees are let go, but to no avail.
The strike will start on Thursday, July 31 at 01.00hrs and conclude on Friday, August 1 at 23.00hrs.
Anyone who has already booked a train ticket during these times should check with the rail board whether they will still be able to travel.
