A STRIKE is set to hit Valencia's metro right where it most hurts: during the week of the city's huge trademark fiesta, the Fallas.
Valencia effectively stops for a week during Fallas, which finish on the night of March 19 when the papier mÂché statues satirising current affairs are burnt down, although the reverse happens in the hotel and catering trade where business-owners make a killing.
Tourists travel from every continent to see the spectacular and colourful festival and, even though the Fallas are celebrated in many other towns in the region, the main version in Valencia is arguably superior and local residents make a pilgrimage to the city every mid-March.
This means all Valencia's rail services are packed out and in high demand, so disruption to metro travel will be huge and lead to chaos during Fallas week.
A driver shortage, meaning insufficient rest breaks and even trains stopped mid-track because drivers' shifts had finished, and trains delayed or cancelled due to sick leave, combined with general working conditions are behind the decision to strike.
Minimum services only will be provided from Monday (March 13) between 07.30 and 10.00; on Wednesday, March 15 from noon until 15.00 and 23.00 to midnight; Thursday, March 16 from 00.01 to 07.00 and 13.00 to 15.00; Friday, March 17 from 00.01 to 07.30, from 12.30 to 15.00 and 18.00 to 21.00; Saturday, March 18, from 00.01 to 07.30, from 12.30 to 15.00 and 19.00 to 23.00; on Sunday, March 19, from 00.30 to 07.30, from 12.30 to 15.00 and 23.00 to midnight; and Monday, March 20, from 00.01 to 04.00.
For expats and holidaymakers, getting to the airport could be hit and miss, so travellers are advised to leave plenty of margin for error when catching the metro for their flight.
Regional government-owned rail board FGV says its hands are tied because of the national government's cap on spending, which prohibits additional public sector employees being taken on.
FGV says metro wokers' unions are 'fully aware' of this predicament and will 'solve nothing' by striking, since 'the passengers will be the ones who come off worst'.
