The planned walkouts will take place on several dates: 28 October, 11 November, 28 November, 29 November, 5 December and 9 December. If their demands are not met, the drivers will start an indefinite strike on 23 December.
The action is being organised by Spain’s two largest unions, CC.OO. and UGT, which together claim to represent 70% of the sector.
At a press conference, union leaders highlighted the risks associated with drivers over the age of 67 transporting vulnerable groups, including the elderly and children. They argue that the current retirement age fails to recognise the strenuous and dangerous nature of the job, which they claim significantly increases the likelihood of work-related accidents.
The unions have submitted a notice to the Interconfederal Mediation and Arbitration Service (SIMA), hoping for clarity on employers’ positions. They propose a “provisional solution” that allows for partial retirement with a replacement contract, enabling older drivers to transition out of their roles while younger drivers take their place, reports local press.
While Spanish law permits early retirement through partial retirement and reduction coefficients, these measures have yet to be implemented for professional drivers. Unions accuse both the government and employers of blocking access to these necessary changes, asserting that the strikes are not only a call for regulatory reform but also a protest against employers responsible for working conditions in the industry.
Despite ongoing discussions with the Ministries of Transport, Labour, and Social Security, union representatives have stated that little progress has been made, prompting the need for industrial action. They have urged the public to understand the potential disruptions caused by the strikes, framing their actions as essential for ensuring road safety and improving the quality of life for workers in the sector.