The arbitration court, established within the scope of the Economic and Social Council, decided, unanimously, to define as minimum services for the strike called by the Federation of Transport and Communications Unions (Fectrans) at Carris the operation of “exclusive transport for the disabled”, “the emergency room” and “the medical posts”.

“The striking workers shall ensure the services necessary for the safety and maintenance of equipment and facilities, as well as the emergency services that, in the event of force majeure, require the use of the means provided by the Companhia Carris de Ferro de Lisboa”, the ruling states.

Fectrans must “identify the workers required to comply with the minimum services up to 24 hours before the start of the strike” and, “if it fails to do so, this right shall be exercised by Carris”, the court ruled.

The strike notice was presented by trade unions affiliated with the CGTP-In from 10:00 pm on the 17th until midnight on the 19th of September at the public transport operator in Lisbon.

“The leader of the Portuguese Union of Road and Urban Transport Workers (STRUP), affiliated with Fectrans, is expecting “a large turnout”, despite the fact that a new meeting with the Carris board of directors is scheduled for Tuesday “to try to create the necessary openness that could lead to a possible call-off” of the strike.