According to the STRUP union, the alert is the result of work-
ers being asked to postpone their holidays, which they say has already had an effect on operations this summer.
“They have been denying leave requests and now it is all coming together simultaneously. Holidays were not taken at the right times and now we are witnessing delays and interruptions to services”, STRUP representative Anabela Carvalheira said, adding: “This is not the fault of workers. The blame should be placed on the management of the company and the shortage of workers.”
She also argued that the service provided by the Lisbon Metro has steadily deteriorated, especially with redundancy packages being handed out to 300 workers in recent years who have not been replaced.
“In addition, 18 ticket booths have been closed, the number of carriages on the Green Line have been reduced, times between trains have increased, train speeds have slowed down and the general state of cleanliness on trains and in stations has deteriorated,” Anabela Carvalheiro
argued.
The STRUP union have called on Lisbon Metro to hire at least an additional 150 workers to solve the issues they have identified, and while they say the posture by the leftist government is more positive towards unions “they have so far been unable to resolve the major issues.”