A protest by forest firefighters from the Community of Madrid in front of Tragsa's headquarters on Calle Maldonado ended with two detentions and 14 injuries after police charges. The protesters, on strike for five months demanding labor improvements, denounce an inadmissible treatment and call for the resignation of the Government Delegate, Francisco Martínez.
Forest firefighters from the Community of Madrid, on strike for five months demanding labor improvements, held a demonstration in front of the state-owned company Tragsa's headquarters on Calle Maldonado. The event escalated with police charges, leading to two detentions and three denunciations for assault on authority, according to Government Delegation sources. The firefighters report 14 injuries, with more than 10 treated at the Emergency Department of La Princesa Hospital.
Images shared on social media show a police officer spraying uniformed protesters. The Bomberos Forestales de la Comunidad de Madrid account criticized on X: “It is a shame the treatment received.” They stated that “the detained colleagues have done absolutely nothing” and reminded: “We are fighting for our rights”.
In a video from a police station, firefighters' spokespersons described the situation as “inadmissible” and felt “mistreated.” They demanded the resignation of Francisco Martínez: “He cannot treat a public collective like this.”
The strike marks 150 days, paused on August 15 due to a wave of fires. They reject the proposal to join the agreement for the Forest Fire Reinforcement Brigades (BRIF), managed by Tragsa, due to organizational differences: regional brigades operate in two shifts versus three in BRIF, and with nearly 500 personnel, they could not adapt efficiently. Moreover, living conditions in Madrid, more expensive, require a tailored agreement.
Rafael Fernández from UGT described encounters with Tragsa and the regional executive as “lamentable” due to “derisory” salary increases. Regional President Isabel Díaz Ayuso attributes the protests to a conspiracy against her. This action heightens tension among the workforce.
