Portugal general strike over labour reform halts trains, flights, shuts schools
Unions say the labour reform would weaken job security and expand outsourcing as operators cancel flights and suspend rail and metro services.
- On Wednesday, June 3, Portugal faces a nationwide general strike disrupting aviation, rail, and metro services after CGTP, the country's largest trade union confederation, called the action to protest proposed labour reforms.
- Unions oppose the government's labour reform package, arguing the changes weaken job security and collective bargaining rights under the Portuguese Labour Code covering more than 100 articles.
- Aviation faces significant disruption, with Ricardo Penarr, president of a cabin crew union at TAP Air Portugal, stating 500 flights are at risk of cancellation or delay; Air Europa has cancelled all flights between Madrid, Lisbon, and Porto.
- To mitigate disruption, airlines have begun adjusting schedules, with TAP Air Portugal offering flexible rebooking options; Jet2 warned passengers to prepare for "longer than normal queues and disruption to flights," while Wizz Air advised arriving three hours early.
- The outcome of negotiations between the government and CGTP will determine whether further industrial action follows, as unions indicated additional strikes remain possible if no agreement is reached on labour reform.
46 Articles
46 Articles
Long queues at bus stops and empty airports: traffic is particularly affected by the strike.
In many parts of Portugal, a general strike has paralyzed public life. Hundreds of flights were cancelled on Wednesday to protest against a planned reform of the government's labour market, trains stood still and schools remained closed.
The bill proposes to make it easier to dismiss workers for just cause and allow companies to refuse to reinstate illegally dismissed employees in exchange for compensation.
For the second time within six months, a state of emergency causes exceptional situations in Portugal. Traffic is affected, but also schools and hospitals. The reason is a labour law of the central right government.
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