Comboios de Portugal have warned of the possibility of "strong disturbances in circulation", from Wednesday 7th May until Wednesday 14th May, due to strikes called by several unions.
"Since no minimum services have been defined by the Arbitration Court of the Social Economic Council, the CP does not guarantee the circulation of trains, especially on May 7th, 8th and 9th," said the railway carrier.
Therefore, the public can expect sever disruptions in circulation between May 7th and 14th, "with special impact between May 7th and 13th".
The strike between May 7 and 8 was called by the Trade Union Association of Intermediate Railway Exploration Chiefs (ASCEF), the Independent Trade Union Association of Commercial Career Railway Workers (ASSIFECO), the Federation of Transport and Communications Unions (FECTRANS), the National Union of Transport Communications and Public Works (FENTCOP) and the National Union of Railway Workers of Movement and Related (SINAFE).
It was also convened by the National Democratic Railway (SINDEFER), Independent of Infrastructure and Related Railway Workers (SINFA), National Independent of Railway Workers (SINFB), National Transport and Industry Workers (SINTTI), Independent Railway and Related Operations (SIOFA), National Technical Staff (SNAQ), National Railway Sector Workers (SNTSF), Railway Transport (STF) and Metro and Railway Workers (STMEFE).
A strike was also called by the Machinists' Union (SMAQ) for May 7th and 8th, and between May 7th and 14th by the Railway Union of the Itinerant Commercial Review (SFRCI).
Comboios de Portugal have reassured customers that "people who have already purchased tickets to travel on Alfa Pendular, Intercidades, International, InterRegional and Regional trains" will be allowed "the refund, for the total value of the ticket purchased, or its free exchange for another train of the same category and in the same class".
This refund or exchange can be made online “up to 15 minutes before the train leaves the customer’s station of origin, or at the ticket offices”.
After this period, and up to 10 days after the end of the strike, CP say, “a refund can be requested by filling out the online contact form for refunds due to delay or cancellation, sending a scan of the original ticket”.
