"Rail traffic has been suspended throughout the country. Therefore, this shows that there has been practically total support from workers since midnight," José Manuel Oliveira, from FECTRANS, told Lusa, highlighting that, despite the work done between management and unions, "CP is operating with fewer workers than necessary".

The strike, which will continue until May 14, will have an increased impact today and Thursday, due to the greater number of unions (14) that joined the strike on these days.

The strike between today and Thursday was called by the Trade Union Association of Intermediate Railway Operations Managers (ASCEF), the Independent Trade Union Association of Commercial Career Railway Workers (ASSIFECO), the Federation of Transport and Communications Trade Unions (FECTRANS), the National Transport, Communications and Public Works Union (FENTCOP), the National Union of Railway Workers of the Movement and Related (SINAFE), the National Democratic Railway Union (SINDEFER), the Independent Union of Infrastructure and Related Railway Workers (SINFA), the National Independent Railway Workers Union (SINFB), the National Union of Transport and Industry Workers (SINTTI), the Independent Union of Railway and Related Operators (SIOFA), the National Union of Technical Staff (SNAQ), the National Union of Railway Sector Workers (SNTSF), Railway Transport Union (STF) and Metro and Railway Workers Union (STMEFE).

Added to this strike, today and Thursday, is the one called by the Machinists' Union (SMAQ) and, between May 7 and 14, the one called by the Commercial Itinerant Review Railway Union (SFRCI).

By decision of the Arbitration Court, strikes do not have minimum services.

However, the services necessary for the safety and maintenance of equipment and facilities must be ensured, emergency services, rescue trains and all trains that have started their journey must be taken to their destination.

Contacted by Lusa, a source from CP confirmed that there are no trains running, information that the company should update mid-morning.