The bus drivers' strike remains in effect throughout the Canary Islands after last-minute negotiations between unions and employers failed to reach an agreement. Unlike last Thursday's truckers' strike, which was called off following a deal with business leaders, the ongoing transportation strike threatens to disrupt services for approximately 605,000 passengers in the Canary Islands, including tourists, schoolchildren, and residents using travel passes.
José Ángel Hernández, Secretary General of the Federation of Transport Employers in the Archipelago (FET), explained yesterday (Sunday) that two main issues are preventing an agreement. Firstly, business organisations are demanding a clear commitment from the Spanish government to ensure that lowering the retirement age does not lead to increased social security costs for companies.
Duration of the Strike
Hernández highlighted that Spain currently faces a shortage of approximately 15,000 drivers, with 500 of those gaps in the Canary Islands alone. "The employers are requesting that the reduction of the retirement age to 60 be accompanied by a robust plan to facilitate the entry of new drivers into the profession," he added.
Negotiations between employers and unions will continue until November in an attempt to reach a new agreement. The public is particularly concerned about the strike's duration. The strike is scheduled for Monday, October 28th; November 11th, 28th, and 29th; and December 5th and 9th.
If no agreement is reached, the strike could become indefinite starting on December 23rd, having a major effect on holidaymakers over the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Minimal Services Amidst the Strike
The strike will affect around 6,000 buses, with 9,000 drivers across the islands participating. Minimal service levels present additional challenges for commuters. For school transportation, the Department of Education has mandated 100% service for public schools only, leaving private and concerted schools without coverage, a point that has drawn criticism from unions.
Each island's government (Cabildo) determines minimal service levels for regular public transportation. In Gran Canaria, the Unified Transport Authority (AUTGC) has set minimal services at 50% for both Guaguas Municipales and Global. The company that connects all municipalities in Gran Canaria will maintain the number of scheduled trips typically provided on public holidays.
Tenerife’s Specifics
In Tenerife, minimal services will differ slightly. According to TITSA’s website, interurban lines will operate at 75% capacity as decided by the Cabildo, while urban services in Santa Cruz will maintain 80% capacity per the city council’s directives. In La Laguna, urban lines will operate at 75% capacity based on the municipal government's decision.
In Santa Cruz, the capital of Tenerife, 29 bus lines servicing over 930,000 passengers monthly will reduce their usual morning trips from 179 to 134. Evelyn Alonso, head of the Mobility Department, noted that certain areas lack alternative transportation options aside from taxis, resulting in some lines (909, 916, 917, 940, 944, 945, 946, 947, 971, and 975) maintaining 100% service to ensure mobility for residents.
Lanzarote and Fuerteventura
The strike will is taking place from midnight to 11:59pm today, Monday, October 28th. In Fuerteventura, minimal services will operate at 40%, while Lanzarote will maintain 80% service levels. The FET website indicates that in islands where ports or airports are designated as sensitive areas, the island council may allow taxis from all municipalities to operate during strike days if necessary.
The Department of Public Works, Housing, and Mobility has set minimal transportation services at 40%, specifically for transfers to ports and airports. The official order will be published in the Official Gazette of the Canary Islands (BOC) today but was already made public on Friday to allow companies ample time to organise.
As the strike continues, affected travellers are advised to check specific service adjustments on their local transport authorities' websites and plan accordingly. Ongoing negotiations aim to resolve the dispute before the strike becomes indefinite, but the situation remains fluid as both sides work towards a compromise.
