The trade union Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) is preparing a strike in road freight transport for December 23 and 24, 2026, coinciding with one of the busiest periods for logistics of the year. The mobilization responds to the Government’s delay in processing the reducing coefficients that would allow professional drivers to access early retirement, a demand that unions and employer organizations have been jointly calling for for months.
The business organizations Confederación Española de Transporte de Mercancías (CETM) and Federación Nacional de Asociaciones de Transporte de España (Fenadismer) have confirmed to EFE that they have received the notification of the Interconfederal Mediation and Arbitration Service (SIMA) corresponding to the procedure prior to the strike call.
However, CCOO has not yet publicly confirmed the definitive dates for the stoppages. Asked by EFE, the union referred to the press conference it will hold this Monday, at which it plans to present its timetable of mobilizations. Therefore, the days of December 23 and 24 are, for now, in a phase of mediation and could be modified or avoided if an agreement is reached.
The conflict stems from a lack of progress in recognizing early retirement for professional drivers. Both unions and business organizations consider that the sector’s working conditions justify the implementation of a system that allows retiring age to be brought forward without the ordinary penalties associated with voluntary early retirement.
Employer organizations reject the strike and point to the Government
The call has provoked rejection from the main transport employer organizations, despite the fact that they share the drivers’ demand.
CETM and Fenadismer consider the measure “unjustified and disproportionate”, by understanding that companies are not responsible for the administrative delay that prevents advancing the approval of the reducing coefficients.
Fenadismer argues that the blockage corresponds exclusively to the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations, which it accuses of having halted the processing of the file despite having had the necessary reports since July.
According to the employers’ association, the call of the Evaluation Commission, tasked with analyzing the applications and issuing the corresponding ruling, was halted as a result of the postponement of the general elections scheduled for next 29 November.
The federation believes that any pressure measure should be directed against the Administration and not against the companies that have backed the unions’ request. It also questions that the work stoppages were proposed for dates after the elections, when a change of Government could have occurred.
Fenadismer has confirmed that it will take part in the mediation procedure before the SIMA with a willingness to engage in dialogue, although it calls on CCOO to reconsider its strategy and withdraw a call which, in its view, would harm the entire sector.
What are reducing coefficients and why drivers are demanding them
The dispute centers on the application of the reducing coefficients for retirement age, a mechanism that allows workers in professions considered especially arduous, dangerous, toxic or unhealthy to retire early when the conditions established by regulations are met.
In road transport, the unions argue that long hours at the wheel, irregular schedules, physical wear and the risks associated with professional driving justify recognition of this right.
The procedure is regulated by the Royal Decree 402/2025, which sets out the requirements to request the application of these coefficients and the evaluations necessary before they are approved.
In October 2025, CCOO, UGT and the main employers’ associations in goods transport, passenger transport and self-propelled cranes together submitted the requests to access this mechanism. The agreement between the trade unions and business organizations was essential to begin the administrative processing.
However, more than a year later, the specific coefficients for these groups have still not received final approval.
CCOO had already warned last 30 October that it would intensify its mobilizations if the procedure remained stalled. Among the measures approved by its sectoral assembly were rallies and strike days during the last months of 2026 and the first quarter of 2027, without ruling out an indefinite strike if the deadlock persisted.
What consequences a strike on 23 and 24 December could have
The dates proposed coincide with the work days immediately preceding Christmas Eve, when food companies, supermarkets, logistics platforms and commercial establishments concentrate much of their distribution operations.
A strike in the transport of goods could cause delays in supply and in the deliveries planned for the Christmas campaign, especially if it sees high participation among drivers.
Fenadismer warns that the measure could harm not only transport companies, but also citizens and the entire supply chain.
However, it is still not possible to determine the real extent of the disruptions, since it will depend on the confirmation of the call, its participation, and the measures that are adopted during the days of protest.
In addition, the initiative communicated to the SIMA specifically refers to road freight transport, so it does not automatically involve calling a strike of buses or other passenger transport services.
The next appointment will be the appearance of CCOO this Monday, 16 November, when the union will detail its schedule of mobilizations. Until then, the employers’ associations maintain their opposition to the Christmas stoppages and call for the Government to unlock a procedure which, in principle, has broad agreement between employers and workers.