According to a press release from the Machinists' Union (SMAQ) sent to Lusa, the strike will also take effect on December 30th and January 2nd, as workers represented by SMAQ will be on strike "to provide additional work, including work on a weekly rest day, in accordance with the AE [Company Agreement] SMAQ/ViaPorto and the Labour Code".

On December 31st and January 1st, marked by the usual influx of public to the center of Porto for New Year's Eve, and when the subway normally runs throughout the night, "the workers represented by SMAQ are on strike."

"Workers who on December 30, 2024, have scheduled a normal working period that exceeds 00:00 on December 31, 2024, are on strike from the scheduled start time of their normal working period until its end ", and those who "on January 1, 2025, have scheduled a normal working period that exceeds 00:00 on January 2, 2025", are also on strike until the end of their shift.

Contacted by Lusa, SMAQ union leader Hélder Silva, attached to Metro do Porto, says that the reasons for the strike are the same as those that led to the strike that took place between December 17th and 22nd.

At issue is "the lack of compliance with the AE by the company", in this case ViaPorto, from the Barraqueiro Group, which operates Metro do Porto, regarding the payment of an annual premium.

"We have a clause that requires the payment of an annual performance bonus that has to do with the workers' day-to-day performance and their evaluation, and the company claimed losses and has not yet paid this bonus," he said. Hélder Silva to Lusa on December 16th.

The union leader also said that "a margin of tolerance of half a year was given for the company to pay the premium", referring to 2023, something that, according to SMAQ, has not yet happened.