Lisbon, June 27, 2024 (Lusa) - Portugal's rail operator CP - Comboios de Portugal warned on Thursday that travel disruption is expected, especially until Saturday, due to the strike called by several unions, but for which minimum services have been defined.
"Due to strikes called by the SMAQ union between 27 June and 14 July 2024, and by the ASCEF, ASSIFECO, FENTCOP, SINAFE, SINDEFER, SINFA, SINFB, SIOFA, SNAQ, SNTSF and STF unions, between 00: 00 and 24:00 on 28 June 2024, traffic disruptions are expected with a particular impact on 28 June and the days before and after," says CP in a note published on its website.
Likewise, CP notes that the strike could also affect journeys on the Douro Historic Train service.
Customers with tickets to travel on the alfa pendular, intercity, international and interregional trains can request a full refund or exchange them.
Refunds can be made on CP's digital platforms, up to 15 minutes before the train departs from the customer's home station, or at ticket offices.
"After this deadline, and up to 10 days after the end of the strike, refunds can be requested by filling in the online contact form 'refund for delay or cancellation', sending a scan of the original ticket," it added.
The Arbitration Court decided to decree minimum services of around 25% in the strike that will take place at CP - Comboios de Portugal, which is joined by several unions, according to a ruling released on Thursday.
CP workers will be on strike on Friday, demanding the enhancement of their careers, according to a document signed by more than 10 trade union organisations.
"A number of trade union organisations have been meeting to analyse the negotiation processes at CP and IP [Infraestruturas de Portugal], and have decided to hand in a strike notice for CP for 28 June," reads the joint statement, released on 12 June.
The strike covers all workers and will take place throughout the day, safeguarding "entry before 00:00 and exits after 24:00 on that day".
The court's decision on this strike and another called between 27 June and 14 July includes, in addition to the traditional minimum services on rescue trains and the transport of dangerous goods and perishable goods, a list of trains that must be guaranteed.
Of these, on Friday the long-distance service will have around 23% of the service guaranteed, the regional service 25%, the Lisbon urban service 25%, the Porto urban service 25% and the Coimbra urban service 24%.
"The human and material resources necessary to fulfil the minimum services set will be ensured, including, in particular, the associated routes, as well as their start, closing, positioning and other necessary operations," according to the court.
The strike will be joined by the Trade Union Association of Intermediate Railway Managers (ASCEF), the Independent Trade Union Association of Commercial Railwaymen (ASSIFECO), the National Transport Union (Sindicato Nacional dos Transportes, Communications and Public Works (FENTCOP), the National Union of Railwaymen of the Movement and Similar (SINAFE), the National Democratic Railway Union (Sindefer) and the Independent Union of Railway, Infrastructure and Similar Workers (SINFA).
The National Independent Union of Railway Workers (SINFB), the Independent Union of Railway and Related Workers (SIOFA), the National Union of Technical Staff (SNAQ), the Federation of Transport and Communications Unions (Fectrans), the Railway Transport Union (STF), the National Union of Portuguese Railway Train Drivers (SMAQ) and the National Union of Railway Workers (SNTSF) will also join.
The unions believe that the CP management's proposals do not respond to the need to enhance the careers of all the company's workers.
JO/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
