Barcelona center blocked as taxi strike enters fifth day
Catalan government to meet with union leaders and ride-hailing associations
Barcelona's city center remained blocked by taxis on Tuesday as the drivers' strike to demand tougher regulation of ride-hailing firms, such as Uber and Cabify, enters its fifth day.
Cab drivers marched from Plaça Catalunya to the Catalan government Territory Department, where taxi union leaders are expected to meet with minister Damià Calvet at 4 pm.
The largest taxi union's spokesman, Alberto ‘Tito’ Álvarez, has rejected sitting at the negotiation table with representatives from Uber and Cabify. "There’s nothing for us to negotiate with them," he said.
After five days of protests, including clashes with police and attacks on ride-hailing vehicles, taxi drivers are keeping up the pressure.