Key data
| Regulation | Order TED/1181/2026, of November 6, 2026 |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | November 7, 2026 |
| Entry into force | November 11, 2026 (day of the general strike) |
| Affected parties | Workers of aerial firefighting contractors and TRAGSA/TRAGSATEC personnel |
| Category | Regulatory Changes |
| Year | 2026 |
| Strike conveners | CC.OO. and UGT |
| Legal basis | RDL 17/1977 and constitutional case law on essential services |
Workers at the main aerial firefighting companies will not be able to fully exercise their right to strike on November 11, 2026. The Order TED/1181/2026, published in the BOE on November 7, establishes minimum services of up to 100% in state resources supporting autonomous communities for forest fire suppression, in response to the general strike called by CC.OO. and UGT.
The justification is specific: the fire risk that day is classified as moderate-high in Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country, which requires the Ministry to guarantee full operability of aerial and coordination resources.
What does this regulation establish?
Order TED/1181/2026 sets the minimum percentages of personnel and systems that must remain operational on November 11, 2026, the day of the general strike. The percentages apply to state resources supporting autonomous communities for forest fire suppression.
| Scope | Minimum service | File / reference |
|---|---|---|
| Firefighting aircraft crews | 100% | File 24PFSV214 |
| Firefighting aircraft maintenance | 100% | File 24PFSV213 |
| CCINIF personnel | 100% | — |
| Hermes network systems | 75% | — |
The measure is based on Royal Decree-Law 17/1977 on labor relations and on the case law of the Constitutional Court on essential services for the community. Forest fire suppression is recognized as an essential service, which enables the Government to limit the exercise of the right to strike when there is real risk to the safety of persons and property.
Economic and operational impact
For contractor companies, the immediate impact is operational, not direct economic: they must guarantee personnel availability in the set percentages on November 11, which implies:
- Identifying which workers are required to provide service and communicating this to them with sufficient notice.
- Organizing shifts and coverage to meet the 100% percentages for crews and maintenance, and 75% for the Hermes network.
- Assuming possible additional personnel management costs (standby, availability, internal communications).
For affected workers, the impact is the limitation of the right to strike in the set proportion: those designated to cover minimum services will not be able to join the strike that day. Non-compliance by the company with the set minimum services may result in administrative liability.
Who does it affect?
The order directly affects workers and HR and operations departments of the following companies:
- Avincis — aerial firefighting contractor
- Pegasus Aviación — aerial firefighting contractor
- Rotorsun — aerial firefighting contractor
- Martínez Ridao Aviación — aerial firefighting contractor
- TRAGSA — public company of the TRAGSA Group
- TRAGSATEC — public company of the TRAGSA Group
It also affects CCINIF personnel (National Center for Forest Fire Information Coordination) and those responsible for the Hermes network communications systems for fire management.
Indirectly, the order affects autonomous communities that receive state support for fire suppression, especially Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country, identified with moderate-high risk that day.
Practical example
Imagine that Avincis has 20 workers assigned among crews and aircraft maintenance personnel under files 24PFSV214 and 24PFSV213. With a minimum service of 100%, the company must guarantee that all 20 workers are available and operational on November 11, regardless of whether they have communicated their support for the strike.
The HR department must, before 11-N, formally designate each affected worker, notify them of their status as "minimum services personnel" and ensure that operational coverage is complete. If any designated worker fails to appear, the company could be in breach of the ministerial order.
In the case of the Hermes network, if there are 8 technicians responsible for the systems, 75% means that at least 6 must be operational that day.
What should companies do now?
- Identify affected personnel: Determine which workers are assigned to files 24PFSV214 and 24PFSV213, to CCINIF or to the Hermes network, and calculate the required coverage percentages.
- Formally designate minimum services workers: Communicate in writing and with sufficient notice to each designated worker that they must provide service on November 11, indicating the legal basis (Order TED/1181/2026).
- Coordinate with the public client: Inform the Ministry for Ecological Transition or the contracting body of the measures adopted to guarantee compliance.
- Prepare documentation: Keep records of designation, notifications and personnel presence on the day of the strike, in case they are required in a possible inspection or claim.
- Review the operational contingency plan: Ensure that aircraft and systems remain operational at 100% (crews and maintenance) and 75% (Hermes network) throughout the 11-N day.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of minimum services is set for firefighting aircraft on 11-N?
100% for both crews and aircraft maintenance personnel, under files 24PFSV214 and 24PFSV213. This means that no worker assigned to these functions can exercise the right to strike that day.
Which companies are required to comply with the minimum services of Order TED/1181/2026?
Contractor companies Avincis, Pegasus Aviación, Rotorsun and Martínez Ridao Aviación, as well as public companies TRAGSA and TRAGSATEC. Also CCINIF personnel and those responsible for the Hermes network.
Why are minimum services of 100% set and not a lower percentage?
The justification is the moderate-high risk of forest fires expected for November 11, 2026 in Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country. Fire suppression is an essential service, which enables the Government to set high minimum services under RDL 17/1977 and constitutional case law.
What minimum service applies to the Hermes network?
75% of Hermes network systems must remain operational on November 11. It is the only area where the minimum service is not 100%, unlike crews, aircraft maintenance and CCINIF personnel.
What happens if a company does not guarantee the set minimum services?
Non-compliance with minimum services established by ministerial order may result in administrative liability for the company. The order is based on RDL 17/1977, which regulates the exercise of the right to strike in essential services and provides for consequences for those who do not respect them.
Official source
Consult full regulation at official source
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-23372
