judyumcer - no one knows anything because at this point no one knows what, if anything WILL happen. It's all designed to create anxiety and is modeled leverage by the unions. I am not judging their motives, just describing basic strike tactics. If you are diverted, it is pretty easy to grab a train - Paris is 8 or so hours and a very pretty ride. Otherwise, with the two days slack you mentioned, I think you'll be fine - if not frazzled.:-)

The unions have just presented their suggestions for the strike. They aim to totally isolate this country not allowing any international flights to land or take off. They only propose for commuter trains to run from 6 am to 9 am , and 6-9 pm

Tomorrow the government will accept or decline this agenda. Today the government has said it is their obligation to provide minimum services and that is what they will aim for.

Good luck everyone.
Seems they always ask for this total isolation but then it is not allowed. We shall see.

I hope I have interpreted the little I saw on TV an hour or so ago.

Perhaps more light tonight on the evening news.

Lincasonova, thanks very much for keeping us updated on the strike situation. There may be more than just a handful of us who are waiting and watching...and hoping.

Oops! A correction to your name spelling, lincasanova! Our apologies.

Civil servant friends and neighbors are verifying that they are NOT going on strike. No one can afford to lose a day's pay.

I presently have a railwayman staying at my Casa Rural and he is going to stop work.
Things are still fluid as far as I can see.

These I refer to are museum and regional social workers.

Seems transportation will be hit hardest..

Hopefully the legal minimum services will be fulfilled.

Let us know tomorrow when you hear about it on the news. Seems they should know by now! Thanks!

After 4.5 hours no agreement has been reached. Syndicates want only minimum services during rush hour for commuter trains only. The gov't wants 25% minimum service for planes and 20% trains.

We shall see where this goes.

In other words, it is likely they will let international flights land in Barcelona? I really appreciate your keeping us informed.

They are still negotiating today. The syndicates do not want any duplicate transportation in the country. If one can take a train, then no planes or buses, etc.

The government wants them to comply with the % stipulated by law, which is more or less a very heavy slow down with minimum services all day long.. not just during rush hours.

Will keep you posted.

still no agreement. The syndicates do not want to accept the government's 40% of scheduled flights allotment.

Maybe we will have some new news later on today.

Hi, I've just registered here after reading your questions. My name's Tom and I live in Barcelona.

My employer today received information from AirEuropa, Vueling, SpanAir and Iberia that passengers with bookings on the 29th may make changes to those bookings.

I would strongly advise taking steps to avoid the strike by changing your booking. Even if minimum services are agreed to, not all international flights might land here.

(And on a side note: I expect the strike will receive more support than the press is letting on. It is the major political story here, and has been for weeks.)

Thank you Tom. I have passed the information along to my SIL who is currently in Soria.

Thank you, thebadrash, for jumping onboard and offering to keep those of us scheduled to land in BCN on the 29th updated on what to possibly expect. We really appreciate people like yourself and lincasanova.

I just heard from a friend that they will let planes land only if they leave before midnight on the 28th. We are leaving Atlanta at 8:55 p.m. on the 28th. Just barely under the wire! Let us know if you hear anymore. Thanks!

I'm going to fly in Madrid on 9/30 morning.
Do you think we will be effected by this strike?
I'm pretty sure it won't be the same.
Please let us know what can you expect.

The agreement between the government and the unions allows for 40% of intercontinental flights and 20% of European flights to be conducted the day of the strike.
(http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news...le_27271.shtml)

Flights on the 28th *should* be fine. Flights on the 30th could, I suppose, be affected.

This information is, as I understand it, final. Therefore, you probably now have something you can take to your travel agents or airlines. I'll see if I can find an actual governmental document related to it.

Please do and thank you for your concern for us. I also heard this morning to be true. I hope they have baggage handlers there to unload the plane.

thebadrash.. looks like it is final. Good luck, everyone!