Comboios de Portugal, CP has decided to protest which is called by the Itinerant Commercial Review Railway Union (SFRCI). The national train company fears disturbances due to these protests. Train services may be suspended during this strike.
CP Decide To Strike
CP has decided to strike between 24 October and 3 November. These protests will take place in the cities of the Algarve and Lisbon. A main incident will take place on 31 October which will mark the peak of these protests. The operator of the railway has been informed that a strike announced by the SFRCI union will cause some disturbances in the railway services. CP has predicted temporary suspension as the partial strike is expected on 28,29, and 30 October. Service disruptions are expected, especially on 31 October, because of a 24-hour lockdown. The organization stated:
Severe disruptions are expected in all services (including) some disruptions on the following day. On the remaining days, there may be occasional disruptions. If minimum services are guaranteed, this information will be updated.
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Lisbon Urban and Intercidades services in Algarve and Lisbon fear that railway services will not run smoothly. These protests are expected to be more intense in places such as Alfa Pendular, Intercidades, Regional, Urban, and Celta Internacional.
The union has confirmed that the strike will only be canceled if their minimum services are granted. There is a plan for a partial strike for 2 hours which will start at the beginning of every shift. This strike will continue from 31 October. SFRCI which represents the office workers and reviewers, informs that strikes are powered by the “non-compliance with the agreement”. This agreement was signed by the operator in the month of July, last year.
Union Wants Rights For Workers
The contract with the workers includes a transportation allowance along with a bonus which will be added to the base rate. This would be helpful for the employees who would benefit from these allowances. The Union also requires a balance as compared with the salaries of train drivers. This agreement was signed last year and was validated as well. It is also included in the budget of this State. According to the Union, the company does have money, but it is not compelling with the agreement. This agreement was scheduled for 1 December 2023. It was stated:
This is the first time this has happened to us, where agreements signed with the administration have not been fulfilled. [They had to return] to a labor conflict that had been closed.
Tickets During Protest Can Be Returned
CP also faced some drawbacks in the last year due to various strikes that the union of the company had called. This was resolved with an agreement that was signed by all parties. The operator has informed us that customers who have already bought the tickets for travel to Alfa Pendular, Intercidades, Internacional, InterRegional, and regional services will be liable for a full refund.
People can also replace these tickets with new ones which can be booked on a new date. They will also be catered for another train of the same category and in the same class. Citizens can complete this refund process on the website of CP or by going to the ticket offices. The SFRCI has stated:
After this period, and up to 10 days after the strike ends, a refund can be requested by filling out the online Refund for Delay or Suppression contact form and sending a scan of the original ticket.
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