SPAIN: Madrid public transport workers strike for two days in protest at the elimination of their extra December pay and metro workers say they will not guarantee minimum services on Saturday during the popular Three Kings Parade

Record ID: 341049

  • Title: SPAIN: Madrid public transport workers strike for two days in protest at the elimination of their extra December pay and metro workers say they will not guarantee minimum services on Saturday during the popular Three Kings Parade
  • Date: 4th January 2013
  • Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (JANUARY 4, 2013) (REUTERS) INTERIOR OF METRO STATION ELECTRONIC BOARD READING "METRO STRIKE 24 HOURS" / WOMAN READING METRO SIGN / PEOPLE WAITING FOR METRO PEOPLE WAITING FOR METRO METRO ARRIVING VARIOUS OF PEOPLE GETTING OUT OF METRO CAR WOMAN RUNNING TO GET ON METRO METRO DOORS CLOSING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MADRID RESIDENT, MARGARITA BARSECA, SAYING: "We
  • Embargoed: 19th January 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: Politics,Transport
  • Reuters ID: LVAEAT5K6EMN4FK7UBVV5U77G6CG
  • Story Text: Madrid metro and bus workers began a two-day walkout on Friday (January 4) to protest against austerity measures in the public transport sector.
    Workers are protesting against the elimination of the extra December pay which they used to receive at the end of every year.
    The strike on Friday caused some disruption to public transport users but some of those affected agreed with the transport workers decision to strike and expressed support for their demands.

    "Well, there have to be protests and, regretfully, people who are working have to pay the consequences but we have to protest. Of course," Madrid resident Margarita Barseca said.
    Others, however, did not support the industrial action and had little regard for the position of the transport workers and the running of the system in the capital.

    "You are never on time even when you know about it and you try to wake up earlier but still you are never on time. Arguments here, arguments there... but it is what it is. Maybe workers don't deserve it but it is what it is," Madrid resident Lorenzo Lopez said.
    Madrid metro will be running with minimum services of 37% on Friday, and on Saturday up to 80% of services will be running. Saturday will be a busy day in the Spanish capital with Madrid residents expecting to get to the centre of the city to watch the traditional Three Kings Parades which makes its way across Madrid in the early evening. Transport unions have said the minimum services established for Saturday of at least 80% is excessive and they will not guarantee their provision. The Madrid Council says that public transport needs to be operative during the parade for security reasons.
    Public transport workers also voted to hold indefinite partial stoppages from January 17 from 06:00 to 09:90 local time (05:00 - 08:00GMT) and from 18:00 to 21:00 (17:00 - 20:00GMT) in the evening.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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