The strike action was called on the same day that the Madrid Metro celebrated its 100th anniversary.
100 years ago today was the inauguration of the Metro de Madrid, a new transportation system for Spain’s capital city ??
Today’s animated #GoogleDoodle celebrates the centenary of the sixth longest underground railroad in the world ? → https://t.co/MwauC9fZ1F pic.twitter.com/tijn5NIKXP
— Google Doodles (@GoogleDoodles) October 17, 2019
Authorities had announced that travellers could expect to find “surprise gifts” on Line 1 – the oldest of Madrid metro lines that was first opened on October 17 1919 – throughout the day.
They planned to celebrate the day with sweets for passengers and music performed at stations including Cuatro Caminos, Rios Rosas, Iglesias, Tribunal, Sol.
??? Regalos, música y exposiciones para celebrar los 100 años de Metro.
? ¡El 17 de octubre llenamos nuestras estaciones de sorpresas!#CentenarioMetro?
Entérate de todo ? https://t.co/1EGA1NIUF1 pic.twitter.com/qwm5sjPKIR— Metro de Madrid (@metro_madrid) October 15, 2019
But instead passengers were forced to endure crowded platforms and long waits between services as the union approved a 24 strike.
Minimum services were in place between 6 am on Thursday until 2am on Friday morning with 58 percent of usual service required.
Train drivers have a range of complaints from breach of contract to lack of healthcare connected to asbestos poisoning.
READ ALSO: Going underground: Discovering Madrid's secret tunnels
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