Drivers believe that the agreement with the CP achieves its goals

The National Union of Drivers (SMAQ) believes that the agreement reached with CP – Comboios de Portugal, which ended the cycle of strikes that resulted in the suppression of 7,000 trains, achieves its goals.

In a communiqué published on the SMAQ website, the union said that “intensive and extensive negotiations took place last week, both with the Ministry of Infrastructure and later with the CP Board of Directors, as a result of which an agreement was signed.” this Thursday and announced by the carrier at the end of the day.

“The agreement, which SMAQ management considers reached, has set goals and demanded from employees,” he stressed.

SMAQ recalled “four months of relentless struggle, with several days of total strike and a whole month of partial strike, which resulted in the suppression of about seven thousand trains”, emphasizing that “the determination and cohesion of the KP paved the way for both ministerial tutelage and CA [Conselho de Administração] The KP learned that there would be no possible way out of the established conflict without serious negotiations with SMAQ.”

The union leadership has convened a plenary meeting of union leaders and KP delegates next Wednesday at which they will present the agreement, after which they will travel to work centers to meet with like-minded people.

On Thursday, CP announced that it had reached an agreement with SMAQ to end a series of strikes by these professionals.

Thus, the carrier said that “after a period of intensive negotiations, last week it reached an agreement with the National Union of Machinists (SMAQ), which put an end to the cycle of strikes affecting the railway sector.” .

The company notes that “this consensus was reached with the cooperation of the Ministry of Infrastructure, which acted as an intermediary in the negotiations between the parties involved.”

According to the operator, “the agreement is the result of a joint effort between CP and SMAQ management, demonstrating the willingness of both parties to resolve the labor dispute and ensure the continuity of services to passengers.”

CP thanked SMAQ “for its accessibility and negotiating efforts, which resulted in a satisfactory understanding for both parties and in favor of the interests of the workers and the company”, ensuring that “it is committed to the welfare of the workers”. and the quality of the services provided.

For the railway company, this agreement “is designed to strengthen relations with representative workers’ organizations, strengthening social dialogue and mutual cooperation.”

SMAQ went on strike at CP throughout April, accusing the company of “autistic attitude and neglect.”

The strike took various forms during the month, and there was no full stop day. However, hundreds of trains were cancelled.

Among the workers’ demands were “effective wage increases”, “traction career evaluation”, and improved working conditions in driver’s cabs and social facilities and safety conditions on lines and in parks to protect motor material.

Another complaint concerned the “humanization of duty lists, established meal times and reduced rest time away from headquarters”, “an effective protocol for psychological monitoring of train drivers in the event of accidents or accidents” and “recognition and appreciation of the professional requirements and training of train drivers in accordance with the new legal framework.