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Drivers heading off for the May bank holiday in Spain could face disruption at petrol stations after unions confirmed strike action that will hit both the start and end of the holiday period.

 

The action has been called by the unions UGT, FICA and CCOO following a breakdown in talks over a new national agreement covering service station staff across the country. According to the unions, negotiations have been dragging on for months without a proper resolution and they say employers have recently taken a step backwards by withdrawing earlier proposals and putting forward what they describe as a worse economic offer.

 

At the centre of the dispute are pay and working conditions, with unions arguing that staff in the sector have seen little meaningful improvement despite rising living costs. They also point to wider pressure in the industry, including fluctuating fuel prices as a result of the Middle East conflict, as adding to tensions between workers and employers.

 

The timing of the strike has not been chosen at random. It’s set to coincide with one of the busiest travel periods of the year in Spain, when thousands of people take advantage of the May Day public holiday, which falls on a Friday in 2026, to extend their break and travel across the country.

 

The planned action includes two separate strike periods. On Thursday April 30 there will be a partial stoppage between 12pm and 4pm, which is expected to hit peak departure times as holidaymakers begin their journeys. This will then be followed by a full 24-hour strike on Sunday May 3, aimed squarely at the return rush as people head back home after the long weekend.

 

In practical terms, this means the middle days of the holiday period, including May 1 and May 2, are expected to be the least affected in terms of disruption. However, the unions are warning that the start and end of the break could see significant issues at fuel stations depending on staffing levels and how the strike is observed.

 

Automated petrol stations are not expected to be affected in the same way, although availability could still vary depending on location and service arrangements. The Spanish government is also expected to put minimum service requirements in place, particularly to ensure emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire services and police can continue to refuel without interruption.

 

The unions have justified the strike by pointing to what they call an “unacceptable attitude” from employers during negotiations. They say that after some progress had been made in earlier discussions, talks have now stalled completely, leaving workers with little choice but to escalate action during a period when it will be felt most strongly.

 

For drivers planning to travel during the May bank holiday, the advice is likely to be to fill up in advance where possible and to expect potential queues or delays around the affected dates if the strike goes ahead as planned.