In a statement, the Union of Road and Urban Transport Workers of Portugal (STRUP/Fectrans) announced that, after a “great unity” plenary session held at Santo Amaro Station, in Lisbon, workers approved a strike on March 11.

“Workers are fighting for an increase in their salaries, a reduction in the working day to 35 hours and resolutions to various labour issues and, if there are no responses from management at the next meeting, in compliance with the plenary's decision, a strike notice will be delivered for March 11,” the document said.

According to the union, the workers’ decision “is the path that STRUP/Fectrans will follow in defending the demands and interests of Carris workers”.

According to STRUP, the central issues facing workers are related to the “real and significant increase in wages and the move towards a 35-hour work week”.

Carris is currently responsible for the urban surface public passenger transport service in the city of Lisbon and has been managed by the Lisbon City Council since February 1, 2017.