The partial strike by CP inspectors and ticket office workers led to the cancellation of 263 trains by 7pm, mainly in the regional service, according to the latest balance sent to Lusa.
Between 00:00 and 19:00, 1,052 trains were scheduled, with 789 and 263 suppressed (25%).
Of the 66 long-distance trains scheduled, 62 were carried out and four were canceled.
In the case of regional service, 124 trains were canceled and 140 were carried out, for a total of 264 planned.
In turn, all 477 scheduled trains ran in Lisbon’s urban areas.
In the urban areas of Porto, 98 were carried out and 119 were removed, totaling 217 scheduled.
In the urban areas of Coimbra, in turn, 28 trains were scheduled, of which 16 were suppressed and 12 circulated.
CP – Comboios de Portugal ticket inspectors and workers began a strike on Thursday that will last until November 3rd, with the carrier anticipating interruptions in operations, especially on October 31st.
In a note published on its website, the company reported that, “due to a strike called by the SFRCI union (Itinerant Commercial Review Railway Union) between October 24th (Thursday) and November 3rd, 2024”, disruptions to the operation are anticipated.
The operator warned of the impact on Lisbon’s urban areas, with a special impact on the Sintra, Azambuja and Sado lines.
On the 29th and 30th of October, also a partial strike, CP foresees disturbances in Regional/InterRegional, Urban Coimbra and Urban Porto services.
On October 31st, when the shutdown will be total for 24 hours, disruptions are expected at Alfa Pendular, Intercidades, Regional/InterRegional, Urbanos and Internacional Celta.
According to the ruling on minimum services published on the website of the Economic and Social Council (CES) on the internet, on October 31st, with “the exception of long-distance trains, all trains will circulate on the urban lines of Lisbon and Porto, regional and interregional , between 6:00 am and 7:30 am and between 6:30 pm and 8:00 pm, in the exact terms foreseen before the presentation of the prior notice”.
For the remainder of the strike period, of partial shutdown, the court decreed only minimum services necessary for security, maintenance, emergency services and the like.
According to a source from the SFRCI, which represents CP’s ticket office workers and reviewers, these strikes are motivated by what it says is the “non-compliance with the agreement” signed in July last year with the operator.
The protest “has to do with remuneration”, and, according to the union, the agreement foresees passing on a “transport voucher and availability bonus for the base salary”, something that would bring advantages to workers. The union wants a greater balance in relation to train drivers’ salaries.
Source: www.cmjornal.pt
