The Independent Trade Union and Civil Servants Central (CSIF) has called for the resignation of the Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, considering that he has put the Adif traffic manager in the spotlight after the Urda (Toledo) railway accident, and has insisted on the need to respect the ongoing investigation and the presumption of innocence of this worker.
In a public note, the trade union organization has accused the minister of using this employee as a "scapegoat" during a press conference, instead of taking on his own responsibilities, when, he stressed, the investigation "has just begun." At the same time, it has emphasized that Puente would have avoided taking on his role despite an initial failure in the computer system that, according to the union, would have triggered the chain of events.
CSIF has called for an immediate explanation, the assumption of political responsibilities, and the implementation of effective measures to prevent new accidents. The union led by Miguel Borra has described it as "very worrying" that Spain faces what it considers a second railway tragedy in less than a year.
Warnings about working hours at Adif
The trade union central has recalled that in September it already warned of shifts at Adif of up to 12 hours a day and five consecutive nights. In its view, these hours generate "extreme wear and tear" in workers who assume functions of maximum responsibility, such as the management and ordering of railway traffic.
Likewise, it has indicated that during this year it has been demanding an increase in investment in the maintenance of infrastructure and railway workshops, as well as the review and updating of safety protocols. It has also defended the importance of ensuring proper maintenance of the trains and of strengthening the network and the system's capacity.
CSIF has also censured the minister for the repeated incidents in circulation, such as interruptions to journeys and delays, and has pointed out that the only safety measure adopted so far would have been the reduction of commercial speed.
Solidarity with the victims and recognition of the emergency services
The organization has lamented the accident, has expressed its solidarity with the affected people, and has wished the injured a speedy recovery. Likewise, it has conveyed its support to the staff of Iryo, Adif and Renfe.
The union has, lastly, highlighted the work of the health personnel, the emergency services, the firefighters, Civil Protection and the security forces and bodies that went to the site of the accident to collaborate in the evacuation and care of the victims.