Bus drivers in Majorca will carry out a second day of strikes on Monday, following Friday’s walkout. Seven buses were reported damaged on Friday after tempers boiled over following some drivers’ decision to break the strike and cross picket lines.
Stones were thrown at the buses, causing damage and forcing them to return to the Alcudia depot. Shouts of “scabs” aimed towards the strike breakers could be heard from union members out demonstrating. Drivers plan to picket the Intermodal Station in Palma again on Monday, with the main transport union SATI calling for calm and peaceful demonstrations.
SATI estimated that 100% of TIB drivers in Majorca, Menorca, and Ibiza participated in the demonstrations on Monday.
However, not all the drivers belong to the union and some decided the brave the picket lines and go to work. Other drivers are represented by the UGT and CCOO unions, the latter’s members having voted against strike action.
SATI and local government authorities are still at loggerheads over the demands by drivers for better pay and conditions. The union is demanding an 8.5% pay increase, having rejected an initial 3% offer, and also wants longer breaks for drivers.
SATI representative say drivers must be given two 15-minute breaks by law, and for passenger security.
Presently the authorities consider the five minutes drivers take at terminals to pick up passengers and take payments as resting periods.
The union is threatening to strike indefinitely from July 25, if no agreement is reached soon. Petra Mut – a manger for the Balearic Transport Federation – has admitted the two sides are no closer to reaching a deal, despite three days of talks at the TAMIB arbitration tribunal.
SATI’s head Juan Rodríguez claimed only his side had been prepared to make concessions and that the employers had failed to come up with one single proposal.
He called on the national government to intervene, saying: “Either they get involved or this will continue to remain hopelessly deadlocked.”