Train Drivers Strike: Demands for Government Clarity on Safety and Alcohol Policies

Train Drivers Strike in Portugal

This Friday marks a strike day for train drivers, who are demanding that the government clarify statements regarding the relationship between railway accidents and alcohol levels, along with ensuring adequate safety conditions. The Arbitration Court has decreed minimum services.

The 24-hour stoppage was called by the National Union of Train Drivers of the Portuguese Railways (SMAQ), and its impact may extend into Saturday due to the shift patterns of professionals in companies covered by SMAQ, including CP, Fertagus, MTS - Metro do Sul do Tejo, ViaPorto, Captrain, Medway, and Infraestruturas de Portugal. Early effects of the strike were felt on Thursday, with CP reporting the cancellation of regional and urban connections.

The protest stems from statements made by the Minister of the Presidency following a Council of Ministers meeting on November 14. He noted that Portugal has the second-worst performance in terms of accidents per kilometer of railway, highlighting a performance that is about seven times worse than the first half of European countries.

In response, the government approved a draft law to strengthen measures against train drivers, including a prohibition on driving under the influence of alcohol. The Minister pointed out that Portugal's lightest penalties for violations are in stark contrast to its poor accident record.

The Minister of the Presidency described the strike as unprecedented, claiming it is a reaction against something that has not occurred.

On Thursday, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing announced plans to implement measures to enhance railway safety in response to the train drivers' demands. The president of SMAQ stated that the strike is causing disruptions across different companies and emphasized that the reasons for the strike extend beyond the Minister's comments on alcohol and accidents; they primarily concern safety issues.

The union leader criticized the government for not addressing their concerns adequately, stating that the proposed measures were merely cosmetic and do not resolve the underlying issues reflected in the annual railway safety reports. He warned that if these issues are not addressed, next year's results could be even worse.

In response to the strike, Minister Miguel Pinto Luz expressed his regret over the decision, noting its negative impact on train circulation and the lives of thousands of public transport users. He stated that the Ministry had made efforts to meet the safety demands presented by SMAQ to avert the strike.

The government plans to strengthen the use of the Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, reduce reliance on Temporary Speed Limitations, and continuously improve the Safety Management Systems of both the Infrastructure Manager and railway operators. They will also define performance indicators to monitor the effectiveness of these measures and enhance safety conditions regarding signaling and protection of Temporary Speed Limitations.

The Ministry reiterated the main causes for the high number of railway accidents, such as collisions (52%), accidents at level crossings (38%), collisions with objects (7%), and derailments due to infrastructure degradation (3%), as highlighted in the annual safety report from the Institute of Mobility and Transport. The Minister concluded with a commitment to modernizing the railway as a priority for the government to ensure a quality public transport service for all citizens.