The Sindicato dos Trabalhadores na Indústria de Hotelaria, Turismo, Restaurantes e Similares do Sul has announced that the new concessionaire, ITAU, responsible for the food service on Alfa Pendular and Intercidades long-distance trains, is refusing to comply with the active collective labor agreement for workers.
The union claims ITAU’s stance is unlawful and an affront to the workers who have fought justly for many years to improve their living and working conditions.
According to the union, ITAU has the financial capability to uphold the 2025 collective agreement terms and fully respect workers’ rights.
As a result, workers on the long-distance trains’ bars will initiate an indefinite strike and permanent vigil starting November 6 to demand respect and full adherence to the collective agreement.
The union demands include work schedules that adhere to an eight-hour daily and 35-hour weekly limit, a 25% pay increase for weekend work, and a daily meal allowance of 11.50 euros to 13 euros.
The union is also asking for the payment of longevity bonuses worth 20 euros each, along with responsibility bonuses and transport allowances.
Workers will gather at the Santa Apolónia Station entrance in Lisbon on Thursday morning, after which they will begin an indefinite vigil and camp at the station.
