Spain: Disruptions in rail service March 8 /update 1

Event

Renfe, the national railway operator, has canceled ticket sales for some high-speed rail and medium to long distance trains scheduled for Thursday, March 8. Renfe officials have guaranteed that 65 percent of medium distance train services and 72 percent of long distance train services will run unaffected. Passengers affected by discontinued trains will be offered travel on running trains near their original scheduled departure or may cancel or reschedule their tickets at no cost.

The action is part of the national general strike scheduled for International Women's Day (March 8). Political parties Podemos and the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) have announced their support for the strike, organized by several Spanish labor unions. Podemos has thrown its support behind a 24-hour general strike and the PSOE has declared its support for two-hour strikes: from 11:30 to 13:30 (local time), 16:00 to 18:00, and during the first two hours of night shifts beginning on March 8.

Context

Air traffic controllers will take part in the strike and as such flight disruptions are likely at airports across the country. Furthermore, a national public transit strike is set to take place between 07:00 and 09:00. Among the other sectors expected to be most affected are those with a high percentage of women employees, including education, healthcare, media, retail, and janitorial services, among others. Widespread commercial disruptions are expected and schools may be closed.

Large-scale demonstrations with the potential to result in traffic disruptions are expected in major cities, notably in Barcelona. Demonstrators are expected to gather in Barcelona's Plaza Catalunya beginning at 18:30 as well as at the intersection of Via Laietana and Avinguda de la Catedral (Plaça d'Antoni Maura) around 19:00.

Millions of people around the world participate in celebrations of International Women's Day, a UN-recognized international event since 1975, to protest gender-based violence, the earnings gap between men and women, and sexual abuse, among other issues. Spain's general strike will be the first such strike to take place on International Women's Day in the country.

Advice

Travelers in Spain are advised to confirm their travel itineraries and to allow for extra time to reach their destinations. Exercise a high level of vigilance in affected areas, avoid all demonstrations, and follow all official instructions issued by relevant authorities.