Spain: Road haulage organizations and truck drivers start indefinite strike, Nov. 14

Event

A trade body representing road haulage businesses and truck drivers in Spain has called for an indefinite nationwide strike from Nov. 14. The National Platform in Defence of the Transport Sector is protesting business costs and government regulations. Several hundred striking workers are protesting in Madrid, Nov. 14. Attendees will converge on the Ministry of Transport after marching from the Atocha railway station.

The strike comes after negotiations between national and regional governments broke down. Government authorities plan to minimize disruption to consumers by deploying police to protect road haulage organizations that continue to operate, as well as key road transport hubs including Coslada, the MercaMadrid, and the port of Barcelona.

Authorities will likely continue to deploy increased security to strategic road transport hubs and protest areas. Striking drivers could gather along roads, near ports and near government buildings. Road transport disruptions are likely, caused either by truck drivers blocking routes or by demonstrations. Business disruptions are possible as the road haulage strike impacts logistics and supply chains. A previous strike on March 22 lasted 20 days and led to some supermarket shortages. Local scuffles cannot be ruled out.

Advice

Avoid all protests as a routine security precaution. Follow local travel and security advice. Allow extra time for traveling near key road transport hubs and seek alternative routes in the event of delays and disruption.