Lisbon Metro workers are planning partial strikes on 28 and 30 October, between 5 AM and 10 AM, potentially affecting morning commuters across the capital.
Lisbon Metro workers will hold two partial strikes on 28 and 30 October, according to union sources and the transport company, which will request the establishment of minimum services from the Arbitration Tribunal.
“Regarding these new strike notices, Lisbon Metro will also [as it did during Wednesday’s strike] request the Arbitration Tribunal to establish minimum services, seeking to minimise disruptions for passengers and ensure, as far as possible, the continuity of a public service essential to the city’s mobility,” the company said in a statement.
The trade union organisations representing the workers have submitted new notices of partial strikes for 28 and 30 October, between 5am and 10am.
According to Sara Gligó, a representative of the Federation of Transport and Communications Unions, the issues at stake are the same demands that prompted the strike on Wednesday, 14 October, which led to the suspension of services for 24 hours.
According to the union representative, the issues stem from persistent problems at the Central Command Post (PCC) and the Traction Stations.
“The strike arises from the failure to comply with the agreement and the lack of concrete responses from the company’s management since the signing of the agreement on 13 April 2026,” she said.
Union concerns
Among the problems identified by the unions are staff shortages in the PCC and Traction departments, excessive overtime, extended shifts, delays in training supervisors and inspectors, and what unions describe as the undermining of management responsibilities.
“Over the past few months, the union structures have remained available for negotiation, sent official letters, requested specific meetings regarding the DOP leadership, and analysed documents presented by the company. However, they consider the responses to have been insufficient,” according to FECTRANS.
In a statement released today, the company regretted the inconvenience caused to passengers and reaffirmed its willingness to continue discussions with the trade unions.
However, the Board of Directors considered the strikes disproportionate, given their significant impact on passengers and the fact that opportunities for dialogue remain open and concrete measures are already underway to address the demands presented.
“The matters under discussion, related to the activity of approximately 100 workers, have been monitored in meetings with the trade unions, in which the Board of Directors has presented proposals that allow for a convergence of positions and the finding of balanced solutions, with defined objectives and deadlines,” the statement said.
Measures underway
The transport operator notes that among the measures being implemented is a recruitment and training plan, which is already underway and scheduled for completion in the second half of December 2026.
“Proposals were also presented to change the schedules, currently under approval, and to improve the management of work shifts, seeking to address issues that have been under discussion since 2019,” according to Lisbon Metro.
Regarding alleged instances of workplace harassment by superiors at the Central Command Post, the company reaffirmed that all issues of this nature deserve the utmost attention and should be properly clarified, but indicated that so far the allegations have been made in general terms.
Daily Lisbon Metro services
The Lisbon Metro operates daily across four lines: Yellow (Rato-Odivelas), Green (Telheiras-Cais do Sodré), Blue (Reboleira-Santa Apolónia) and Red (Aeroporto-São Sebastião).
Under normal circumstances, the metro operates between 6:30 AM and 1 AM.