The ongoing railway strike in Spain is marked by the persistent protests of three smaller unions—CGT, Alferro, and Sindicato Ferroviario. These unions have opted to extend their actions despite a recent agreement between major unions, including Semaf, CC OO, and UGT, and the Ministry of Transport that has led to the suspension of a related strike that was set to continue. This agreement focused on enhancing infrastructure maintenance within the railway system. However, the smaller unions, representing approximately 20% of the workforce, have chosen to remain mobilized, calling for improved negotiations and the recognition of their demands.

As a result of the ongoing protests, significant disruptions are expected, particularly affecting high-speed rail services. Iryo and Ouigo have announced the cancellation of a total of 39 services, demonstrating the impact of the strike on the broader network. The imposition of minimum service guarantees, which stand at 73% for high-speed rail, is intended to mitigate the chaos but does not fully address the grievances of the striking workers. These developments illustrate a fracture within the union landscape, showing how different factions are navigating their interests amidst broader negotiations.

Ultimately, the situation highlights ongoing tensions in Spain's labor market and the challenges of balancing worker demands with the need for reliable public service. While major unions have found common ground with the Ministry of Transport to end their strike, the dissent from minor unions indicates a deeper issue—workers' concerns around job security and infrastructure maintenance that remain unresolved. The outcome of this dispute could set important precedents for union negotiations in the future.