Madrid Metro to Sue Unions for loss of profits

The Madrid metro company and the unions representing their employees have reported how they will resolve their differences in court if agreement cannot be arrived at with regards to the compensation sought by the staff over loss of earnings.

The operators of the metro are now demanding 6.5 million euros from the striking employees to cover lost profits for two days over the 2 days in june when almost all employees of the underground in the capital joined the strike.

A spokesman for the main union involved said Metro Madrid’s legal action ‘makes no sense’, because an agreement to bring an end to the conflict had already been signed. He also referred to the action as ‘laying down the gauntlet’ and ‘a provocation’ on behalf of the rail company. He continued that “Workers have the right to strike anywhere. Not just in Madrid, but everywhere in Spain.”

However, the agreement over pay and conditions, which was signed on July 17 in an attempt to end the strike will be respected, say both Metro Madrid and the Union, as it remains a separate issue to the claim for the 6.5 million euros loss of profits.