The manager of the SFM rail operator in Mallorca, José Ramón Orta, has called for calm in the face of the possible train strike that the works council is to propose to staff on Monday. "We have safe trains." Orta added that he "wouldn't understand if there were a strike", stressing that the train drivers' strike on the mainland is completely unrelated to SFM.
"We have reliable trains, we have very good, highly trained staff, and the unfortunate situations that have occurred on the mainland don't have to happen here."
Responding to complaints about safety deficiencies having gone unanswered, Orta emphasised his commitment to "dialogue with the workers" and highlighted "historic investments in safety" during the current period of administration. "We have doubled the investment in track and rolling stock maintenance."
He also mentioned the hiring of two engineers who specialise in rolling stock and line safety and training programmes for workers.
The regional ministry of transport has meanwhile clarified intervention by the employment inspectorate, something to which the works council referred in its statement on Thursday announcing possible stoppages. This is limited to a workplace hazard unrelated to railway safety and is being rectified.