Madrid metro strike threatens commuter chaos all week

Train drivers on Madrid´s metro have called partial strikes for everyday this week.

Trains were running at 64 percent service on Monday morning between 6.05am and 9am and will continue to do so during the morning rush hour until Friday.

On Tuesday 14th, there will be double the disruption, as metro drivers and metro workers call two separate strikes. Drivers will be striking between 2pm and 5pm, while metro workers will strike between 6.05 – 8.40am, 1.20pm – 4.25pm and between 5.30pm – 7.55pm. 

Metro drivers are demanding changes to their working hours and practices, including finishing their shifts at the same station where they start.

They are asking for 14 extra free days on top of the 52 they already have, according to Spanish daily ABC.

The President of the Community of Madrid, Cristina Cifuentes has warned drivers that she will not cede to their demands.

“It is a strike that really does not make very much sense,” she said. “It is a form of pressure that the drivers have while they negotiate their collective bargaining agreement.”