Renfe removes two workers for possible sabotage

BarcelonaBeyond the struggle with the strike by the minority union workers of Renfe and the operator over the transfer of Cercanías – which yesterday again caused Delays and cancellations of some trains–, Renfe has admitted that it is investigating and has already removed two workers from their responsibilities for alleged sabotage of the service that would have affected hundreds of passengers.

Company sources have confirmed to ARA that the operator is investigating the workers, who, individually, allegedly gave erroneous instructions expressly to the drivers and other operator staff. One of the incidents reportedly occurred during the strike on March 26. The other case occurred yesterday, which would have resulted in the cancellation of around 40 trains this Tuesday afternoon, primarily on lines R1 and R3, and more specifically on the R4.

The company has emphasized that it has not only identified and investigated these workers, but that they have also been removed, at least temporarily, from their duties. "Neither of the two workers is at their usual job," Renfe emphasizes. For its part, the Federal Railway Sector Union of the General Confederation of Labor (SFF-CGT) has accused the director of Cercanías in Catalonia, Antonio Carmona, of wanting to "sow fear" among the workforce and "hide" the true reason for the strike, which is the staff's "rejection" of the transfer of the service to the Generalitat (Catalan government).

Carmona already announced yesterday on TV3 that the breakdown in L'Hospitalet, which affected the passage of trains on the R1, R3, and R4 lines, could have been caused expressly by a specific protest during the strike day, meaning it could be classified as sabotage. "Although the strike was only attended by 10%," Carmona indicated, "we are analyzing a possible cancellation of trains in L'Hospitalet, which has affected traffic" on the aforementioned lines. These are trains that, according to the director of Cercanías, should not have been eliminated.

Carmona, who remains the operator's visible face in Catalonia –although operations are currently being led by Josep Enric Garcia Alemany– assured that the company is "analyzing the data" and that all the documentation they gather will be handed over to Renfe's legal advisory teams, who will be responsible for evaluating them and taking "the necessary measures."

According to official company data, the minority union strike yesterday had an 8.4% turnout. During rush hour, approximately 300 trains ran, and about 14 were cancelled. Therefore, Carmona considered that the service, during the strike day, ran "relatively normally."

Regarding the train that broke down at Passeig de Gràcia station that afternoon, causing delays of approximately one hour for both commuter and regional trains, Carmona clarified that it was a mechanical failure. This led to the evacuation of the entire platform by the City Police and the Fire Department, and the evacuation of passengers traveling on the train. Renfe already explained yesterday that the evacuation by the police was carried out to ensure safety and prevent overcrowding on the platforms.