They assert that the declaration regarding the replacement of silica dust signifies a “blatant attempt” to place the strike committee “between a rock and a hard place.”
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 20 Feb. (Europa Press) –
The secretary of the Company Committee for Workers Commissions and Delegate for the Prevention of the Metropolitan Health and Safety Committee of Tenerife, Jonay Acosta, stated on Thursday that the tram workers’ strike will persist following the Cabildo’s announcement about the substitution of silica dust in the braking system. He indicated that Dávila “has been unable to negotiate a resolution to the dispute.”
Speaking with Europa Press, Acosta characterised the recent proclamation by the island president regarding the complete substitution of silica dust with calcium silicate in the tram braking apparatus by June 2025 as “a blatant attempt” to thrust the strike committee into a difficult position, especially with the Santa Cruz carnivals approaching, and because “he has not been able to negotiate a resolution to the conflict.”
The tram workers have organised strikes from Monday to Friday across three periods, during the peak hours of service. Consequently, Metaranraife continues to maintain tram operations with the minimum services set at 80%.
“The strike periods will remain unaltered. We will not adjust the timings of the strikes to inconvenience the carnival-goers in Tenerife. The three peak schedules, in the afternoon and evening hours, will continue throughout the week, from Monday to Friday, due to the utter lack of willingness to resolve the dispute on Rosa Dávila’s part,” he added.
Replacement of Silica Powder
“The replacement of the silica sand was approved by the manufacturer following tests that were conducted. The water drum trams were loaded to maximum capacity, and braking tests were administered on both flat and downhill sections, all of which we participated in, taking place on 13 and 14 November 2024,” said the secretary of the Company Committee for CCOO.
Moreover, as he stated, it was at that point the manufacturer announced the change from silica sand, rendering the news released yesterday by the town hall regarding the replacement of silica dust as “a smokescreen” to obscure “the disastrous management” of the island president and the Minister of Mobility, Eulalia García, who is also the president of Metropolitan of Tenerife.
Committee’s Demands
The tram workers have recorded strikes since 2023 and have since articulated their primary demands to the Metropolitan authorities on the island. This includes a request for preventive measures concerning health and safety, as the “company still refuses to carry out health monitoring for drivers and reviewers, even though they are exposed to silica dust.”
They are also seeking recognition for all activities conducted within the company involving silica dust “without any protection” since 2007, which they also claim is being denied. “They refuse to acknowledge in writing all the activities that have taken place. Certain activities, such as the Manual of Arena, have resulted in exposure to silica dust that exceeds permissible limits.”
Regarding accidents, incidents, and mistreatment, Acosta noted, “the company is reluctant to conduct investigations.” He elaborates that when an accident occurs, the company seeks to “place blame” and “shift responsibility” through external expert reports instead of properly investigating matters within the Safety and Health Committee. Additionally, this is compounded by the “psychosocial risk” facing the workforce.
He pointed out that in a psychosocial risk assessment carried out in October 2021, it was revealed that “a significant portion of the workforce is subject to high and very high psychosocial risks.” He underscored several key factors: working hours, autonomy, workload, psychological demands, relationships and social support, and employee interest, among others.
Accidents and Conflicts
“Furthermore, there are numerous critical points along the line where preventive measures must be enforced,” Acosta stressed, referring to the necessity to prevent a tragic incident that occurred in December 2022.
He added that staff members, like the reviewers, “are invariably left unsupported” whenever a conflict arises, as interventions often lead to accusations against them from the instigator of the conflict, with the company abandoning them without any legal support or assistance. Moreover, there is an additional issue regarding the workforce’s failure to adapt to existing demand without compensation.
