“Absolute normality and full activity.” This is how the International Road Transport Association (Astick) defines the situation on the first day of the indefinite strike in the transport sector, announced starting this Monday by the same platform that organized the 20-day protests in March.

The aforementioned normality is seen “both in ports, logistics centres, rest and fueling areas, and at border crossings with France, Portugal and Morocco,” according to Astik. “Normal traffic on the roads continues. There are no noticeable incidents or congestion,” adds Fenadismer, the Spanish National Federation of Transport Associations.

Specifically, there are no problems in the ports and “they work 100%” mercamadridBarcelona free zone and MercaSevillaand the import and export of goods across the internal land border with France, Portugal and Morocco.

In addition to isolated episodes, no relevant incidents have been recorded on this occasion. In March, many companies were forced to paralyze their operations due to punctured tires or broken glass, as well as blockades of the entrances and exits of car parks and logistics or filling centers.

As we move from Ministry of the Interiorin the city Algecirasburning four tractor heads in Villaescusa (Cantabria) and several punctures in Illescas (Toledo). The department, which is headed by Fernando Grande-Marlasca, assures that “all of them are being investigated.”

To start an indefinite strike, the so-called National Platform for the Defense of the Transport Sector organized a demonstration on foot in Madrid. According to police estimates, only about 1,500 carriers, mostly self-employed or small and medium-sized enterprises, were able to be rounded up.

To avoid the March situations, this time the Ministry of Internal Affairs organized a large police operation. At 9:30 a.m., a meeting of the Coordinating Center was chaired by the Secretary of State for Security, Rafael Perez, which was attended by all involved security forces and ministries and departments. “Everyone has endured regular situations in hubs, logistics centers and communication routes,” the aforementioned department notes.

Similarly, they also registered “normal access to all major logistics centers and hydrocarbon infrastructure”. From the sector distribution “absolute normality” is also conveyed, apart from “petty picketing incidents in mercahereswhich were quickly deactivated,” they conclude.

Strengthening checks

The main requirement of the organizers of some kicks arriving at the goal black Friday and Christmas is that the inspection is stepped up to ensure that all the rules approved in recent months are followed to prevent truckers from working at a loss under pressure from shippers or performing tasks of loading and unloading goods.

Minister of Transport, Mobility and Urban Development, Raquel Sanchez, assured this Monday that the indefinite strike lacks justification, as it does not contribute to solving the problems of the sector. “I want to call for accountability once more” before assuring that his ministry “is looking into the measures that can serve to ensure that the effects of the modifications introduced reach their maximum range.”

The organizing platform of the strike does not enjoy the support of most unions, the UGT and CCOO, and the National Road Transport Committee (CNTC), the official body for dialogue between business associations in the industry and the government.