The strike will affect staff in Operations, Customer Service, Inspection and the Central Control Post (PCC). Although an indefinite strike had initially been considered, workers’ representatives have ultimately opted for temporary service interruptions while keeping negotiations with the company open.
However, the strike call does not mean that talks have broken down, and both sides are scheduled to meet again on October 23 at 9:20 a.m.
DATES AND TIMES OF THE ZARAGOZA TRAM STRIKE
The first stoppage will take place on Monday, October 19, from 6:45 to 8:45 a.m., coinciding with the morning rush hour and just a few hours after the Pilar festivities end. From then on, the stoppages will alternate across three time slots: 6:45 to 8:45 a.m., 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and 4:45 to 6:45 p.m.
The final strike day will be November 30, when stoppages have been scheduled during all three time slots. So far, the full calendar with the intervening dates has not been published, nor have the minimum services that must be maintained during the stoppages been established.
THE WORKERS’ DEMANDS
The differences between the company and its workforce concern both financial conditions and work organisation. The main demands include salary increases, an additional extraordinary payment, a review of the shift allowance and an effective reduction in annual working hours. Employees are also seeking recognition of seniority and measures to facilitate partial retirement and replacement contracts.
Drivers’ working conditions are another key point in the dispute. Union representatives are calling for better route organisation, sufficient rest periods and work-life balance measures. They have also raised the need to strengthen safety and review certain aspects of the service’s daily operation.
