According to CP, train traffic is running “normally” on the first day of a strike planned until the 31st by two unions, which predict that the situation “will start to get more difficult” from Saturday.
“There are no suppressions yet. There are some delays, but starting tomorrow [sábado] “The problem is that things will start to get more complicated because the trains will have to be serviced,” António Pereira of the National Independent Railways Union (Sinfb) told Lusa.
Expecting train services to be “virtually normal” this Friday, the union leader explained that “it is very premature at this point to draw conclusions” about the strike, the effects of which, since it is an overtime strike, “will only be felt more at the end of the shift.”
“Then workers stop working overtime, the rolling stock (trains) can be left without control, and then the situation begins to get more complicated,” he said.
The strike called by Sinfb and the Metro and Railway Workers’ Union (Stmefe) for the period from 9 to 31 August will affect the work of the CP – Comboios de Portugal workshops, as well as overtime work, with the exception of the day of 15 August, which will be 24 hours.
An official KP source contacted by Lusa said that at the moment, “dissemination is proceeding normally,” with no record of any suppression.
However, in a notice posted on its website, the carrier warns of the possibility of “specific disruptions to traffic” due to the strike, particularly on August 15.
“We inform you that due to the strike announced by the Sinfb and Stmefe trade unions, periodic disruptions in circulation are expected from 9 to 31 August 2024, which may be more noticeable on 15 August,” the statement said.
Last month, CP reached an agreement with 11 unions to call off a planned strike at this time, but the two unions that are still on strike disagree with what was presented.
Speaking to Lusa, Sinfb’s Antonio Pereira said the agreement signed by the other unions was “practically [igual ao] presented two days before,” indicating that unless they had agreed in advance, they were not going to do it that day either.
“We are fighting for career growth. The company wants to give us more work for the same money, and we absolutely do not accept this,” he assured.
The strike would “jeopardise the operation of trains as maintenance would no longer be carried out,” the union leader said.
A strike by KP workers in late July was suspended after an agreement in principle was reached on wage increases and career regulation, a union source said.
“Under the terms of the agreement, from August 1, 2024, all salary indicators are updated by an additional 1.5%, and the cost of food increases to 9.20 euros,” said a statement published by the Federation of Transport and Communications Unions (Fectrans), July 23.
In turn, CP reported in a note that after a meeting with representatives of several trade unions (ASCEF, ASSIFECO, FENTCOP, SINAFE, SINDEFER, SINFA, SINTTI, SIOFA, SNAQ, SNTSF and STF), an agreement was reached.
The operator has also already signed an agreement with the National Union of Portuguese Railway Drivers (SMAQ) and the Railway Union of Mobile Commercial Activities (SFRCI).
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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