The coordinator of the National Union of Hazardous Drivers (SNMMP), Manuel Mendes, has applauded the challenge launched by the spokesman of this union structure to invite Antram to a meeting.

Invited to comment on this challenge, Manuel Mendes said to the Lusa agency: “I hope it will come together and reach a position of common sense”.

“No one is happy to be here like this. I've been here three nights and three days without going home or making money, having food expenses and making sacrifices. It is not a pleasure for anyone”.

The SNMMP coordinator took the opportunity to criticise both the Government and the National Association of Public Road Hauliers (Antram), accusing them of “making it appear that the driver sector is criminal”.

“We are workers, we are Portuguese, we are fighters. The minister came to say 'let's protect the Portuguese and we are ready for the strike'. But what about the 55,000 drivers in the country are they not Portuguese? And Antram's spokesman is a liar. He tells a lot of lies and we have proof of that, ”said Manuel Mendes, who admitted he was“ afraid ”that Portuguese society does not understand this strike and is against the drivers.

Dangerous goods and goods drivers are now serving the third day of an indefinite strike, which prompted the government to issue a civil requisition on Monday afternoon, alleging non-compliance with minimum services.

On Tuesday, the Minister of Environment and Energy Transition said 14 workers had failed to comply with the government's civil request.

This morning, the spokesman for the Hazardous Drivers' Union said workers will not perform minimum services or civil requisition, in solidarity with colleagues who were notified for not working on Tuesday.