A strike was held on Spain's RENFE rail network on 12-13 November 1999, the latest in a series of stoppages at the company. The November strike was called by trade unions in protest at the notices of dismissal issued to workers involved in incidents during action in October.
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A strike was held on Spain's RENFE rail network on 12-13 November 1999, the latest in a series of stoppages at the company. The November strike was called by trade unions in protest at the notices of dismissal issued to workers involved in incidents during action in October.
In the past few months, several strikes have taken place at RENFE, the public company providing passenger and freight rail transport services. A strike from 8-13 October 1999 was called by the RENFE workers' committee with the support of the CC.OO and CGT trade unions, as well as SEMAF, the train drivers' union. Similar strikes had been held on 17 September and 29 July. The high incidence of strikes at RENFE has involved a very high cost for the company, and also for the workers due to the erosion of support from public opinion.
The main reason for the strikes is the failure to reach a new collective agreement, mainly over the unions' call to translate the increase in the company's productivity (almost 50%) into higher wages for the workers. Another major reason for the protests is the outsourcing to private companies of some local services (such as train repair and maintenance shops or the telephone information service).
UGT had been opposed to these strikes because it feels that there is still some margin for continuing to bargain with the company. It considers that strikes should not take place while negotiations are still possible.
Because of damage to railway lines caused during the October strike, the company has issued notices of dismissal to a number of employees (90 according to the company, and 130 according to the trade unions). The unions thus called a 24-hour strike over 12-13 November. Unlike the previous stoppages, UGT also joined the other unions on this occasion. The strike was followed by 25% of the workforce according to the company and 98% according to the unions. Although minimum services were provided, there were many incidents, with obstructions to local services in Bilbao, Madrid, Málaga, Castellón, Linares (Jaén) and Tarragona due to picketing.
The organisations calling the November strike warned that if the company goes ahead with the dismissals there will be more strikes in December.
Eurofound recommends citing this publication in the following way.
Eurofound (1999), Conflict at RENFE, article.
