Lisbon Metro passengers are facing a day of major disruption today (October 14) as a 24-hour strike has brought the entire underground network to a standstill.
All four Metro lines are closed and stations will remain shut throughout the day, with services only expected to resume at 6.30am on Thursday, October 15, Metropolitano de Lisboa has confirmed.
The stoppage was called by unions representing managers in the Metro’s Operations Directorate (DOP), who say months of warnings and meetings have failed to resolve persistent problems affecting the Central Control Post and traction operations.
According to transport union federation Fectrans, the decision to strike “was not taken hastily or lightly”.
It accuses Metro management of failing to fulfil commitments made under an agreement reached on April 13, which at the time led workers to suspend planned industrial action.
Among the issues raised are staff shortages, excessive reliance on overtime, prolonged shifts, delays in training supervisors and inspectors, and what unions describe as an erosion of management responsibilities.
Metro management has rejected the action as disproportionate, arguing that the dispute concerns around 100 employees out of a workforce of approximately 1,600 and fails to take account of progress made in recent collective bargaining negotiations.
The company nevertheless confirmed that the strike would force the suspension of all train services and closure of stations for the full day.
Lisbon Metro normally operates daily from 6.30am until 1am, across its four lines: Yellow, Green, Blue and Red.
Passengers in Lisbon will therefore need to rely on alternative transport throughout Wednesday.
Michael Bruxo
Journalist for the Portugal Resident.