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Clashes at Madrid Forest Firefighters’ Protest Outside Tragsa Leave Two Detained as 150-Day Strike Continues

Tragsa says its contract ends on December 31 and that, as a public company, it cannot negotiate the sectoral agreement sought by the workers.

Overview

  • The demonstration was timed to coincide with Tragsa’s shareholders’ meeting in Madrid, where police used gas sprays during scuffles captured on video.
  • Authorities reported two arrests and more than a dozen injured, while earlier union accounts cited higher detention and hospital figures.
  • The strike, ongoing since July 15, centers on a new collective agreement last updated in 2012, an end to temporary contracts, and stronger protections against carcinogenic exposures.
  • In a written response, Tragsa cited the pending expiration of its regional mandate on December 31, said the sectoral pact must be negotiated by the competent parties, and noted it applies subrogation terms and public-sector pay increases.
  • Union representatives say the workforce was cut by about 40% in October to roughly 330 staff, warn of risks to next fire-season planning, and call for regional authorities to step in as detainees face potential fines of €5,000–€20,000.