Unions and representative worker associations of CP have criticized today the “unjustified delay” in implementing the agreement for the restructuring of salary scales, urging immediate application.
“Unions will not accept further delays. The commitment has been made and must be fulfilled, or it will further demotivate workers and jeopardize social peace,” stated the 15 signatories of the press release issued today.
According to the organizations, the delay is unjustified for an agreement that resulted from “a long and demanding process, initiated in 2024,” which “CP’s own administration described as an important milestone.”
After being postponed by the Government due to being in a caretaker capacity before the legislative elections in May, unions now state this argument “no longer holds any ground: the new Government is fully operational, maintaining the same political structure.”
“Workers do not understand the delay in authorizing CP’s Board of Directors to implement what was agreed upon,” they remarked.
Addressing the Government, the 15 bodies criticized the silence of the Ministries of Infrastructure and Housing and Finance, which oversee the pertinent areas, arguing that this “compromises trust and weakens the entire negotiation process.”
“It is unacceptable to devalue the agreed settlement and once again undermine this process, withdrawing support from CP’s Board of Directors,” the unions pointed out, reminding that the board acknowledged the significance of the understanding reached with the unions.
The statement was signed by ASCEF – the Union Association of Intermediate Railway Operation Chiefs, ASSIFECO – the Independent Union Association of Commercial Career Railway Workers, FECTRANS/SNTSF – Federation of Transport and Communications Unions/National Union of Railway Sector Workers, and FENTCOP – National Union of Transport, Communications, and Public Works.
Other signatories include SFRCI – Railway Union of Itinerant Commercial Inspection, SINAFE – National Union of Railway and Related Movement Workers, SINDEFER – National Democratic Railway Union, SINFA – Independent Union of Railway and Related Infrastructure Workers, SINFB – National Independent Railway Workers’ Union, and SINTTI – National Union of Transport and Industry Workers.
SIOFA – Independent Union of Operational Railway Workers and Related Workers, SMAQ – National Union of Portuguese Railway Train Drivers, SNAQ – National Union of Technical Staff, STF – Railway Transport Workers’ Union, and STMEFE – Metro and Railway Workers Union also signed the statement.
