Renfe Investigates Potential Sabotage Amid Railway Strikes in Barcelona
Two employees suspended from operational duties following accusations of incorrect train management during recent strikes.
Renfe has initiated an investigation involving two railway employees in Barcelona, who are accused of providing incorrect operational instructions, potentially leading to the cancellation of multiple trains during the recent strikes organized by minor unions.
The strikes affected services on March 17, 19, 24, 26, 28, and April 1. According to Antonio Carmona, the director of Rodalies, incorrect directives were specifically responsible for the cancellation of 40 trains on April 1, primarily affecting lines R1 and R3, with some impact on R4 services.
The company has removed these employees from their operational roles, though neither has been suspended from work or pay.
Carmona stated that the investigation followed incidents on March 26, which also involved questionable train management practices.
He described an example of the alleged errors, involving a notification to a train driver that led to their absence from duty.
The company's legal counsel is preparing a report, and relevant procedural actions will follow.
The minor unions involved in the strikes, namely the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) and the Interunion Railway Syndicate (SF-I), have challenged the company's accusations, asserting that Renfe must substantiate its claims of sabotage.
CGT spokesperson Miguel Huélamo emphasized that no minimum service regulations were breached and attributed the service disruptions to the company’s failure to assign shifts adequately, resulting in higher than anticipated participation in the strikes.
Huélamo noted that previous notification methods for shifts have changed, leading to potential communication issues.
The strikes have raised concerns about operational management within Renfe as the transportation company navigates labor disputes and public service expectations during periods of industrial action.
The strikes affected services on March 17, 19, 24, 26, 28, and April 1. According to Antonio Carmona, the director of Rodalies, incorrect directives were specifically responsible for the cancellation of 40 trains on April 1, primarily affecting lines R1 and R3, with some impact on R4 services.
The company has removed these employees from their operational roles, though neither has been suspended from work or pay.
Carmona stated that the investigation followed incidents on March 26, which also involved questionable train management practices.
He described an example of the alleged errors, involving a notification to a train driver that led to their absence from duty.
The company's legal counsel is preparing a report, and relevant procedural actions will follow.
The minor unions involved in the strikes, namely the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) and the Interunion Railway Syndicate (SF-I), have challenged the company's accusations, asserting that Renfe must substantiate its claims of sabotage.
CGT spokesperson Miguel Huélamo emphasized that no minimum service regulations were breached and attributed the service disruptions to the company’s failure to assign shifts adequately, resulting in higher than anticipated participation in the strikes.
Huélamo noted that previous notification methods for shifts have changed, leading to potential communication issues.
The strikes have raised concerns about operational management within Renfe as the transportation company navigates labor disputes and public service expectations during periods of industrial action.
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Translated by AI
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