SPAIN: The morning commute in Madrid is disrupted as Spanish rail workers begin a strike over the possible privatisation of the state-owned network

Record ID: 340885

  • Title: SPAIN: The morning commute in Madrid is disrupted as Spanish rail workers begin a strike over the possible privatisation of the state-owned network
  • Date: 17th September 2012
  • Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (SEPTEMBER 17, 2012) (REUTERS) POLICE VANS IN FRONT OF ATOCHA RAIL STATION POLICE VARIOUS OF STOPPED TRAINS COMMUTERS VARIOUS OF ELECTRONIC BOARD ANNOUNCING THE STRIKE PEOPLE BUYING RAIL TICKETS TICKET MACHINE ELECTRONIC BOARD ANNOUNCING THE STRIKE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) COMMUTER JESUS GOMEZ, SAYING: "There are many people waiting on the platform and it is com
  • Embargoed: 2nd October 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: Politics,Transport
  • Reuters ID: LVACAPMDNCIF9VUVPSRJB4BNO7N3
  • Story Text: Spanish rail workers began a one-day strike on Monday (September 17) to protest against the privatisation of the railways and the austerity measures implemented by the country's ruling People's Party.
    The strike was called by the UGT and CCOO, Spain's main unions, but on its first day the effect of the industrial action at Madrid's Atocha station seemed to be limited, largely due to the fact the government had insisted on the running of a minimum service of 73 per cent on long haul trains and 75 per cent on shorter journeys.
    Many commuters made other arrangements and those who did take the train were usually able to travel, albeit with a longer wait.
    Jesus Gomez, who works as a computer programmer, was one of those who had to wait longer than usual to get a train to work.
    "There are many people waiting on the platform and it is complicated. And we will see what the return journey is like" he said.
    In both Madrid and Barcelona Metro workers also joined the strike.
    Another commuter, Maria Duran said she supported the strike.
    "Knowing the cuts being planned, I think it is fair. They want to privatise it [the rail sector] and I don't think it is right to privatise it. The strike seems good to me" she said at Atocha station.
    The Unions are calling on the government to exclude workers covered by collective bargains in new labour reforms.
    They also say the privatisation of the railway system, which is presently run by state-owned Renfe Operadora, could jeopardize the safety and the quality of the service as well as costing around 100,000 jobs.
    UGT delegate and rail worker Lorena Machin said that, under the new laws, they could lose their jobs.
    "The company is not willing to negotiate with us and the government even less so. The government issues this new law, the company says they'll abide by it and so there we are. At the moment the board of directors has said there are too many people in Renfe and probably dismissals will be the order of the day. How? We don't know. Because of the labour reforms we're very cheap to fire...so...any of us could be fired at any moment" she said.
    In February the government cut severance pay for workers and watered down collective bargaining rights, giving more power to employers as the government attempts to kick start the country's stagnant jobs market and slash what is Europe's highest unemployment rate.
    In July the centre-right government unveiled a new austerity package to slash 56.4 billion euros ($69 billion) from the public deficit.
    Civil servants will bear the brunt of the new measures in the form of wage cuts, job reductions and the elimination of certain perks.
    On Monday morning 35 per cent of the underground trains were operating in Madrid between 4.00 GMT and 8.00GMT.
    Although the Government insisted upon 50% of the service running, unions decided not to meet the minimum services and ran just 35 per cent of the trains during the peak hours and 30 per cent during off-peak.
    Union says that under the new law, the underground workers will see their wage reduced by 7 per cent.
    Rail workers will gather in Atocha station at 16.30 GMT to stage a protest.
    Metro workers will also strike on a further two days in September and one in October.
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