Strike disrupts rail traffic in Spain at start of Easter holidays

Madrid - Spanish rail traffic suffered delays and cancellations Wednesday at the start of the Easter holidays as employees of the rail company Renfe staged a 24-hour work stoppage.

The trade union CGT, which called the strike, pledged to guarantee a minimum service level of 75 per cent.

Renfe said the strike had hardly any following. CGT, a small railway trade union that represents a minority of workers, put following at about 80 per cent.

Delays of up to one hour were reported at Madrid's Atocha railway station. Renfe said affected passengers would be placed on alternative trains or could return their tickets for a refund.

The strike was protesting a reform of the employee ranking system. It came just as millions of Spaniards were preparing to travel by rail or road at the start of the Easter holidays.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/316573,strike-disrupts-rail-traffic-in-spain-at-start-of-easter-holidays.html.