Lisbon's Subway Workers Launch a Public Transportation Disruption
The Lisbon Metro workforce commenced a 30-day strike on May 23, 2025, with the option to prolong the action for an additional 30 days should their demands remain unaddressed. The brawl revolves around overtime work and special event duties, which are pronounced due to occasions such as the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final slated for May 24 and the Santos Populares festivals culminating on June 12-13.
The crucial requirements of the employees include:
- Augmentation in lunch allowance.
- A reduction in the standard weekly working hours from the current long schedule to 35 hours.
- Fair remuneration for overtime and special event work, given the chronic understaffing that leads to frequent overtime.
- Urgent replacement of missing personnel, as the company consistently requests additional workers but fails to secure sufficient operational personnel from the government.
- Adherence to previous agreements regarding variable pay components such as overtime and holiday compensation, which still remain unpaid.
Sara Gligó, the union leader, asserted that workers are indispensable, unlike the company that, according to her, operates primarily for special events. Union leaders have expressed their readiness to engage in negotiations.
Impacted by the strike are Lisbon’s four metro lines: Yellow, Green, Blue, and Red. The disruption may result in prolonged waiting times, delayed train maintenance, and general traffic disruptions, particularly during peak periods and major city events. Despite the industrial action, the metro system continues to incorporate new carriage units as part of the ML20 series.
It is anticipated that the strike will significantly affect the metro service throughout this event-heavy season.
- The metro industry's financial health may be impacted during this event-heavy season due to the ongoing strike, potentially affecting public-transit transportation and causing delays in train maintenance.
- As the Lisbon Airport prepares for the influx of passengers during major city events, the strike could lead to logistical issues, such as delays in transportation from the airport to the city.
- The prolonged strike could have far-reaching effects on the local tourism and transportation sectors, as a disrupted metro system may deter visitors and hinder the movement of tourists during special events, potentially impacting the finance industry as well.
