Strikes and protests are quite popular in Portugal. Next month, the National Union of Drivers of the Portuguese Railways (SMAQ) will be conducting a series of strikes at CP (Comboios Portugal). They will affect schedules the entire month. The union cites unaddressed issues requiring urgent attention as the primary reason for the strike action. What does this mean to you? If you live here or are visiting and are planning to use the train system, you may want to have backup plans. Here is everything you need to know about Portuguese Train Conductors to Strike in April.
Multiple Strikes Impacting Different Worker Categories
From April 1 to 30, train operators and technical drivers will be striking, while traction inspectors and chief traction inspectors will hold their strike from April 17 to 21 during normal work periods exceeding six hours.
Additional Strikes Based on Work Schedules
Throughout April, all SMAQ-represented workers will strike for their entire service period if their daily work schedule is not included in the official schedules in effect at the start of the strike.
Overtime Work Strikes Scheduled for Mid-April
Between April 16 and 22, SMAQ-represented workers will strike against all overtime work, including shifts on weekly rest days.
Recent Strikes Result in Train Cancellations
These newly announced strikes follow a series of labor actions in February and March, during which multiple CP unions called for strikes that led to the cancellation of hundreds of daily trains.
Expanding on Strike Conditions and Worker Demands
In addition to the previously mentioned strikes, the workers on strike have outlined specific conditions under which they will be protesting. For instance, machinists and technical machinists will strike for all normal daily work periods with a scheduled duration greater than 7 hours and 30 minutes or those that involve entering or leaving headquarters between 00:30 and 06:00. Traction inspectors and chief traction inspectors are striking for all normal work periods with a scheduled duration greater than 6 hours.
Workers in the categories represented by SMAQ are also on strike for the entire service period when assigned a normal daily work period whose work schedule is not included in the schedules in effect at the start of the strike. Furthermore, workers in these categories are striking for all overtime work, including work on weekly rest days, between April 16 and April 22.
The striking workers have a list of demands that include:
1. Effective wage increases and valorization of the traction career.
2. Improvement of working conditions in driving cabs and social facilities.
3. Enhanced safety conditions on lines and motor material storage parks.
4. Humanization of service schedules, framed meal hours, and reduction of rest outside the headquarters.
5. Implementation of a psychological support protocol for machinists in the event of accidents or people being picked up on the tracks.
6. Recognition and valorization of the professional and training requirements of machinists by the new legislative framework.
7. Full compliance with the AE/RC SMAQ/CP 2022.
8. Recognition of a higher category for SMAQ associates who perform or have performed service in traffic monitoring bodies.
The striking workers are determined to continue their fight until their fair demands are met, highlighting the need for attention and resolution to the ongoing labor conflict in the Portuguese railway industry.