Workers of TST to sustain strike on the 28th and opt to halt for two days each month | Transport
The employees of Transportes Sul do Tejo (TST) decided in assembly on Thursday to persist with the scheduled strike on the 28th and to suspend operations for two days every month, on dates to be determined, a union source told Lusa news agency.
“There was no response from the management regarding the proposed wage increase advocated by the employees, so the fight continues,” said Sara Gligo, a representative of the Federation of Transport and Communications Unions (Fectrans).
The TST workers are currently on strike this Thursday and have another stoppage scheduled for the 28th demanding a minimum salary increase of 80 euros and a lunch subsidy of 9.60 euros, as well as improved working conditions.
The participation in the 24-hour strike by TST workers, who operate a bus network in the Setúbal district, was around 90 to 95% at 8:15 a.m., according to Sara Gligo.
As per the union representative, the decision to plan the strikes for today and the 28th came about after the company implemented a wage increase of 5.89% and a new lunch allowance of 6.78 euros.
This increase followed the rejection by employees in assembly on April 15 of the proposed company value – a minimum of 60 euros – and an increase in the meal allowance to 7.30 euros, paid through a meal card.
At that time, the union informed the carrier of the rejection of the company’s proposal in assembly, aiming to reach a balance figure between the two parties.
However, as per the union representative, two days later, the company released a statement stating that it would implement a 5.89% wage increase, “which, for some workers, does not represent an additional 60 euros in their salary,” along with a lunch subsidy of 6.78 euros in cash.
Sara Gligo mentioned that the decision made by workers in the assembly held on Thursday will now be communicated to the company.
TST serves the municipalities of Almada, Seixal, and Sesimbra and, according to the union representative, employs a total of 900 workers.
