Mass protests at Atocha station
This Monday, Atocha station in Madrid became the epicentre of a significant demonstration organised by railway sector workers. Under the slogan ‘Less high speed, more safety’, hundreds of employees, dressed in red vests and carrying union flags, demanded urgent improvements in safety conditions following recent tragedies that have shaken the Spanish railway network.
The protest coincides with the start of a scheduled three-day railway strike, driven by growing concerns over workplace safety. Luis Miguel, a representative of the USO union, expressed his sadness at the need to reach this point: “We cannot go to work thinking that this could happen again.” The gathering was called for 12:00 hours and brought together workers who are calling for structural changes following the tragic accident in Adamuz (Córdoba), where 46 people lost their lives.
As the chants echoed with phrases like ‘Adif, act, the blame is yours’, the protesters also demanded the resignation of the Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente. Montserrat Cepeda, an employee of Renfe, emphasised that this strike not only represents a labour struggle but a collective defence for a safe railway system. “We hope things will change,” she stated determinedly.
María, a crew member for nine years, raised her fist as she joined her colleagues in the chorus: ‘The train is not for sale, the train must be defended’. She shared her distress over the increasing risk at work and how it emotionally affects the workers. “We feel fear and tension both for ourselves and the passengers,” María commented while calling for significant investments in infrastructure to ensure safe transport.
Despite the fervour among the protesters, the figures regarding the strike's participation are controversial. Unions claim it has been total; however, Renfe estimates that it has only reached 11.6%. Meanwhile, a new meeting is scheduled between union representatives and the Ministry of Transport to try to reach an agreement before protests continue until this Wednesday.
Despite the commotion above at Atocha, a contained atmosphere prevailed below in the hall. Travellers showed understanding regarding the cancellations and necessary changes due to the strikes. Selenny, a regular user of the Cercanías service and a humanitarian worker at the Red Cross, expressed her unwavering support for the workers' demands: “It is better to lose three days than to lose more lives.”
In response to this critical situation, the Government has established mandatory minimum services to ensure some operational capacity during the strike: 73% for high speed and long distance; 75% during peak hours for Cercanías; and other reduced percentages for medium distance and freight. So far, more than 330 trains have been cancelled between high speed and medium distance.
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