Much of the Valencian Community’s essential public infrastructure will remain open during the general strike on Wednesday, 11 November, but at reduced capacity and with no guarantee that an individual appointment, class or journey will go ahead. The regional government’s order requires minimum cover in healthcare, education and transport. Everything beyond that will depend on participation at each workplace.
The 24-hour stoppage has been called by CCOO, UGT, Intersindical and other organisations, with housing, pay and the cost of living among their main demands. Employee committees at Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana (FGV) in Valencia and Alicante have backed the strike, elDiario.es reported, while unions argue that some minimum levels are excessive. For passengers and service users, the published percentage is a floor, not an exact timetable.
Metrovalencia and TRAM to run at 80%
FGV must operate 80% of scheduled trains and trams on Metrovalencia and TRAM d’Alacant. Buses within the Valencia Metropolitan Transport Authority system must provide 80% of normal services from 6.30am to 9am, 1.30pm to 3.30pm and 6.30pm to 9pm. The minimum falls to 70% off-peak.
Different rules apply to interurban buses across the region. School and workplace transport must run at 50%, while regular links serving airports, ports and railway stations in tourist areas are protected at 80%. Other regular road services must provide 55% of their normal timetable from 6am to 9am and 5pm to 7pm, and 40% at other times.
Renfe is covered by the national order. Commuter trains will operate at no less than 75% during peak periods — 6am to 9am, 1.30pm to 3.30pm and 6.30pm to 8.30pm — and 50% at other times. Media Distancia regional trains are protected at 65%, with high-speed and long-distance trains at 73%. Passengers should check the specific line or train number, particularly because the general strike falls between the drivers’ strikes on Tuesday 10 and Thursday 12 November.
Health centres will provide Saturday cover
Public hospital wards, emergency departments and emergency operating theatres will run with Sunday staffing. Dialysis, radiotherapy, intensive care, recovery, transplants, day hospitals and oncology will retain normal activity. Hospital pharmacies, scheduled operating theatres, hospital-at-home teams and central services will fall to 50%, while priority outpatient consultations will run at 25%.
The CICU emergency coordination centre will retain its usual operation, and the regional order sets 100% cover for SAMU ambulances and advanced life support. Basic life support and non-emergency patient transport will operate at 80%, prioritising cancer patients, diagnostic tests, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and haemodialysis. Health centres and local clinics will provide Saturday cover. A non-urgent appointment may be postponed, in which case the health service should confirm attendance or issue a new date.
Schools will open, but not for a normal day
The order does not impose a general cancellation of classes. State schools must have one member of the leadership team on site. Nursery and primary schools must also provide one teacher for each stage and at least one for every four classes. Secondary schools, sixth forms, vocational colleges, language schools and arts education must have one teacher for each stage and no fewer than one for every ten classes. Private and publicly funded private schools have equivalent requirements. School canteens will generally retain 60% of staff, rising to 80% in early-years and special education.
An open school is not necessarily able to teach every class or keep its normal hours. Families should follow messages from their own school because the practical arrangements cannot be known until staff participation becomes clear. The first firm information after the strike begins will come from each operator and institution; the regional government and unions are then expected to publish their assessments of participation and disruption.