Two new strike decisions in Lisbon Metro: Morning transportation may be disrupted on 28 and 30 October

Lisbon Metro employees declared two new work stoppages following the 24-hour strike on October 14. According to the unions' statement, a partial strike will be implemented between 05.00 and 10.00 on Wednesday, October 28 and Friday, October 30. The decision raised the possibility of new transportation disruptions, especially for hundreds of thousands of passengers going to work and school in the morning. Metro management announced that it would apply to the arbitration process to determine minimum services.

On what days and times will the strikes take place?

The new strike calendar covers two separate days.

Date Strike hours

Wednesday, October 28, 05.00–10.00

Friday, October 30, 05.00–10.00

Both strikes occur in the morning hours.

However, the announced end time of the strike does not mean that all trains will return to normal service at the same time.

It may take time for the schedule to return to normal due to the repositioning of staff and trains.

Will the metro close completely?

At this stage it is not clear that the entire metro network will remain completely closed for two days.

Unions declared a partial strike. Metro management announced that it would apply to Tribunal Arbitral to determine minimum services.

The outcome of the arbitration process may be decisive in terms of which services can be maintained during the strike.

For this reason, it is correct to say that all lines will be closed for 28 and 30 October and to claim that normal flights are guaranteed. not.

Why are employees going on strike again?

The dispute between the unions and the Metropolitano de Lisboa management is not limited to wages.

Employee representatives argue that there are problems with staff shortages, shift patterns, overtime practices and implementation of previously agreed working conditions.

Unions state that the current staff structure of the business puts pressure on employees.

Metro management, on the other hand, makes a different evaluation within the framework of service continuity and operational needs.

The difference of opinion between the parties has not yet been resolved.

How is it different from the strike on October 14?

The work stoppage on 14 October was for 24 hours and affected services on four lines of the Lisbon Metro.

New strikes were declared for the period between 05.00 and 10.00 in the morning.

Therefore, the duration of the previous strike is not the same as the duration of the new strikes.

However, the fact that partial strikes coincide with commute times may increase their impact on passengers.

Alternative transportation plans are gaining importance, especially for employees and students who depend on the metro.

Which metro lines may be affected?

Lisbon Metro serves four main lines: Blue, Yellow, Green and Red.

The strike notice was not announced as a work stoppage limited to a single line.

However, there is no definitive operating plan on how many trips will be made on each line or which stations will serve. It is not available.

Therefore, it is not possible to say in advance whether a particular line will definitely work or not.

Are buses, trains and ferries also participating in the strike?

The new strike decisions concern Metropolitano de Lisboa employees.

This decision does not mean that Carris buses, CP trains or ferry services on the Tejo automatically join the strike.

However, disruption in metro service may increase passenger density in alternative means of transportation.

It is possible that the number of passengers heading to buses and suburban trains will increase, especially in the morning hours.

What should passengers do?

It may be useful for those who will be leaving early on October 28 and 30 to plan their travels in advance.

Alternative routes include Carris buses, CP suburban trains and ferry connections in suitable areas.

However, the departure times and capacities of these services are different.

The most important point is to check the exact operating plan that the Metropolitano de Lisboa will announce in the days close to the strike date.

Arbitration decisions and new negotiations with unions may change the scope of strikes.