Trade unions have called off partial strikes scheduled for 28 and 30 October on the Lisbon Metro (Metropolitano de Lisboa). The decision followed an order by the Arbitration Court (Tribunal Arbitral) of the Economic and Social Council (Conselho Económico e Social), which mandated minimum services guaranteeing 25 percent of train runs during peak morning hours. Union representatives said that complying with the order would compromise safety by deploying unqualified personnel, opting instead to cancel the industrial action.
Unions Cancel Lisbon Metro Strikes Following Minimum Service Ruling
Monday, 26 October 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
The Lisbon Metro (Metropolitano de Lisboa) is the state-owned company that runs Lisbon's underground railway. Its four colour-coded lines (Blue, Yellow, Green and Red) cross the city centre and reach the neighbouring municipalities of Amadora and Odivelas, and the Red line serves the airport. Fares and monthly passes use the Navegante card shared with other public transport in the Lisbon area.
The Economic and Social Council (Conselho Económico e Social or CES) is a constitutional advisory body responsible for social and economic dialogue in Portugal. It brings together labor unions, business confederations, and civil society representatives to give formal opinions on proposed economic policies. It also houses the Arbitration Court (Tribunal Arbitral), which decides minimum service requirements during public transport and essential service strikes.
5 sources
- Arbitration Court sets minimum services for partial Lisbon Metro strikertp.pt ·
- Lisbon Metro to provide minimum services during strikes on 28 and 30 October, but some stations will be closedeco.sapo.pt ·
- No more Metro strike on Wednesday or Friday. Unions call off walkoutscnnportugal.iol.pt ·
- Lisbon Metro strikes called offobservador.pt ·
- Unions call off partial strikes on Wednesday and Friday at Lisbon Metrodn.pt ·
