Presidential candidate Tim Vieira expressed “deep concern” on Thursday over the “constant politicization of strikes” at CP – Comboios de Portugal, suggesting that it might be time to consider privatizing the company.
“It is very concerning how some unions are using CP’s passengers and workers for instrumental purposes. This stoppage, in the middle of an election campaign, fools nobody and affects only those who need to travel for work and other duties,” stated the businessman in a press release.
Tim Vieira further accused the unions of having “inverted priorities” and acting as “tools serving political parties,” lamenting that the strike “does not solve the workers’ problems nor contribute to the common good.”
“We need assurances and diverse plans. While people need solutions, they continue to hear promises that are never fulfilled. Where is the government when the country comes to a halt?” he questioned, adding that “perhaps it is time to consider privatizing CP.”
“If in Porto’s Metro service is provided without interruptions, and on the south bank services are delivered without strikes, maybe it’s time to remove the parties from this equation and find those who can guarantee workers’ rights while providing quality service to people,” he noted.
It should be noted that the CP strike, which began on Wednesday and continues until May 14, was called in protest against the imposition of salary increases “that do not restore purchasing power,” for the “collective negotiation of dignified salary increases,” and for the “implementation of the salary table restructuring agreement as negotiated and agreed,” according to the unions.
The strike is expected to have a significant impact on the first two days, due to the higher number of unions (14) participating in the stoppage on these days.
The Arbitration Tribunal ruled that the strikes would not include minimum services.
