The Sindicato Ferroviário da Revisão Comercial Itinerante (SFRCI) has issued a partial strike notice affecting long-distance trains by CP from November 3 to 13, citing failure to adhere to a labor agreement and safety issues.
In a communiqué last week, SFRCI recalled the agreement with CP – Comboios de Portugal, inked on July 25, 2023, which included provisions for the humanization of work schedules for inspectors. The union claims this agreement has not been fully implemented.
Additionally, the union raised “serious safety concerns” it has previously communicated to the company without response. These concerns include instances where train lengths exceed station platform sizes and train overcrowding, posing safety risks to both passengers and workers.
“Two years and three months later (27 months), CP’s Board continues to not fully honor the agreement, maintaining practices in some work schedules that contradict the commitments made,” the union highlighted.
At the center of this issue is a partial strike notice for long-distance CP trains scheduled between November 3 and 13. The union highlights the breach of a labor agreement and lack of safety.
The SFRCI leadership claims it has done “everything” to ensure full compliance with the agreement but asserts that CP’s Board has repeatedly refused to complete the process, disrespecting the workers and the commitments made.
Regarding safety issues, the union reports operational workers complaining of “various problems in the carriages used in Intercidades trains,” due to poor workshop monitoring and excessive use of rolling stock.
The situation worsens with the use of Arco carriages, which are not compatible with the standard Corail and EMEF carriages typically employed in this service, the union elaborated.
The Minister of Infrastructure stated on Friday that CP – Comboios de Portugal is “a house of honest people,” countering accusations from Chega of “impropriety” and “lack of transparency” within the railway company.
“CP compromised? CP with clear indications of favoritism, private benefits? I invite the deputy to file a complaint with the Public Prosecutor, do it right now regarding CP. If I had such indications, I would do it immediately,” Miguel Pinto Luz replied to deputy Francisco Gomes from Chega, affirming CP as “a working house” of “honest people.”
The minister spoke in Parliament during the detailed analysis of the State Budget proposal for 2026, responding to allegations of “impropriety” and “lack of transparency” at CP raised by deputy Francisco Gomes.
“Don’t just proclaim there is corruption, [file a complaint with the Public Prosecutor], state what indications about CP you have, because I don’t see them,” challenged Pinto Luz.
In response to the PSD, the minister acknowledged a maintenance issue at CP that “necessarily needs reinforcement,” revealing that beyond the approximately 200 trains expected to arrive in the coming years, “as many more will likely be needed.”
