The minimum service level, set at 25%, is to be implemented during a time when the train drivers’ union (SMAQ) strike will be limited to supplemental work, including work on weekly rest days. This contrasts with the full strikes occurring today and Thursday.
CP, the Portuguese train operator, announced on its website that “minimum services have been defined for the period between May 11 and 14,” and published the train schedules affected by this decision.
According to the arbitration court’s decision, “the rationale for establishing this minimal service is rooted in the necessity to ensure essential rail transport when no viable alternatives exist, or when existing alternatives are excessively burdensome.”
The court deemed it appropriate to set the minimum train service at 25% of the usual schedule, thereby partially rejecting CP’s proposal for a 30% service level. This decision is based on the understanding that rail service is a socially critical activity. The strike should thus be limited to avoid undermining ‘urgent social needs,’ ensuring minimal train operations to prevent passenger safety issues, overcrowding at stations, and train congestion.
Moreover, the court concluded that the 25% service level respects the essential core of the right to strike.
The ongoing train stoppages result from strikes led by various unions, with no minimum service decreed by the arbitration court for the other union-led actions.
On Thursday, the arbitration court clarified that it did not decree minimum services for CP strikes because the company warned that a 15% service level would compromise passenger safety.
This clarification follows a series of publicized news and debates regarding the ongoing strikes at CP, as noted by the arbitration court of the Economic and Social Council in a statement.
The strikes on Wednesday and Thursday were called by several unions, including the Association of Intermediate Railway Operations Managers (ASCEF), the Independent Union of Commercial Career Railway Workers (ASSIFECO), the Federation of Transport and Communications Unions (FECTRANS), the National Union of Transport, Communications, and Public Works Employees (FENTCOP), the National Union of Railway Movement Workers and Associates (SINAFE), the Democratic National Railway Union (SINDEFER), the Independent Union of Infrastructure Railway Workers and Associates (SINFA), the Independent National Union of Railway Workers (SINFB), the National Union of Transport and Industry Workers (SINTTI), the Independent Union of Operational Railway Workers and Associates (SIOFA), the National Technical Staff Union (SNAQ), the National Union of Railway Sector Workers (SNTSF), the Railway Transport Workers Union (STF), and the Metro and Railway Workers Union (STMEFE).
On Thursday, the strike was joined by the Train Drivers’ Union (SMAQ), which is the only union on strike today.
The Railway Commercial Ticket-Inspector Union (SFRCI), which includes ticket inspectors and ticket office workers, called for a partial strike from 5:00 AM to 8:30 AM, Sunday through Wednesday.
