Ferrocarrils faces the first day of the strike called by the Semaf train drivers

BarcelonaNine Tuesdays of difficulties for rail travel, this time also affecting Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC). The Catalan train operator faces the first of these disruptions this morning. five days of strikewhich has called on the Semaf union to strike on February 24th and 25th and March 2nd, 3rd, and 4th to demand greater safety on the service.

For this Tuesday, the Department of Business and Labor has set minimum services of 50% during peak hours and 25% during other periods. For next week, minimum services will rise to 66% and 33%, respectively, due to the protest coinciding with the Mobile World Congress, which is expected to increase the number of passengers.

For now, the Catalan operator assures that the minimum services are being met as planned. After peak hours, the company released the first official figures on participation. FGC reports that the strike is being supported by 8.74% of its staff and that, at the same time, the strike announcement has reduced demand by an average of 9.2% compared to a normal day. On the busiest lines, Barcelona-Vallès and Llobregat-Anoia, passenger demand was 8.7% and 10.5% lower on Tuesday compared to a typical weekday. No significant incidents related to the protest were reported during the morning. Aside from network security—which the company maintains fully complies with European regulations—the workers are also demanding a series of improved working conditions. The CCOO union decided to join the strikes, but only for next week's. The UGT union, however, has ruled out participating. For its part, FGC (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya) views the strike with "surprise," considering it "contrived."