Portugal general strike cancels 500 flights

Portugal’s second general strike in six months disrupted transport and other public services across the country on Wednesday, June 3, halting trains, cancelling hundreds of flights and closing schools, according to Reuters. The walkout hit airports and urban transit in Lisbon, Porto and Faro as unions protested the government’s proposed labor-law overhaul known as “Trabalho XXI.” Travel industry sites estimated more than 500 flights were cancelled, though Reuters described the impact more cautiously as “hundreds of flights.” ### Why did Portugal’s strike hit airports and metros at the same time? The General Confederation of Portuguese Workers, or CGTP, called the June 3 strike to protest the government’s labor reform package, Euronews reported. The proposal, approved by the Council of Ministers and sent to parliament, contains more than 100 changes to the labor code, according to Euronews and the Portuguese government’s own summary of the “Trabalho XXI” bill. (msn.com) Portugal’s government has described “Trabalho XXI” as a structural revision meant to boost productivity, improve wages and adapt the labor market to the digital economy, according to the official government document. CGTP has called the changes an attack on workers’ rights and an affront to the constitution, Euronews reported. ### How large was the flight disruption? (euronews.com) Reuters reported on June 3 that the strike cancelled hundreds of flights across Portugal. Bloomberg separately reported that air travel to and from Portugal was severely disrupted as unions staged the nationwide stoppage. Travel-focused outlets put a more specific number on the disruption. (portugal.gov.pt) Metro reported that around 500 flights were expected to be affected, while The Traveler said more than 500 flights were cancelled across Lisbon, Porto and Faro. Those reports said affected carriers included British Airways, easyJet, Air France and Iberia. ### Which parts of public transport stopped running? (msn.com) Lisbon Metro said in an English-language notice published June 1 that service would be suspended on Wednesday, June 3, beginning at 11 p.m. on June 2, with operations due to resume at 6:30 a.m. on June 4. Euronews reported that buses and trams run by Carris, ferry links across the Tagus operated by Transtejo Soflusa, and rail services operated by CP were also set to be hit. (thetraveler.org) Metro do Porto warned of restricted service on June 3, with only parts of the Yellow and Blue lines operating, according to Euronews. The same report said the Blue, Green, Red, Violet and Orange lines would otherwise be out of service, with earlier shutdowns on the evening of June 2. ### Was this only a travel strike? Reuters said the strike also shut schools and disrupted services beyond transport. (metrolisboa.pt) Euronews reported that education, health and public services were among the sectors affected by the stoppage. Wednesday’s action followed another nationwide strike in mid-December backed by Portugal’s two main union confederations, CGTP and UGT, which Euronews said was the first general strike in 12 years. (euronews.com) Reuters described the June 3 action as the second general strike in six months. ### What happens next for travelers and the labor bill? June 4 was the first scheduled day for Lisbon Metro service to resume, with the operator saying trains were expected back from 6:30 a.m. (msn.com) Travelers were still being directed by airlines and airports to check flight status after the June 3 stoppage, according to travel-disruption reports. Portugal’s labor bill has already been submitted to the Assembly of the Republic, but Euronews said no date had yet been set for a general debate and vote. (euronews.com) That parliamentary timetable is the next formal milestone in the dispute between the Montenegro government and the unions opposing the reform. (metrolisboa.pt)