"Due to the strike called by SMAQ (Train Drivers' Union), with effect from December 17th, until December 22nd, Sunday, the operation of the Porto Metro will be affected on all lines with travel cancellations and consequent changes to timetables".

Specifically, according to Metrô do Porto, "the special service scheduled for the weekend before Christmas is compromised", and which provided for "expanded capacity" on the Blue (A), Red (B), Green (C) lines, Yellow (D) and Violet (E).

According to Metrô do Porto, during the strike period, "on the Yellow Line (D), the average crossing frequency, on weekdays, on the Hospital São João-Santo Ovídio section, happens every 6 minutes, increasing on weekends for a 10 minute rate".

"On the Common Trunk (Senhora da Hora- Estádio do Dragão) trips are ensured every 4 minutes, on average, on weekdays. On Saturday and Sunday, vehicles will pass every 6 minutes at the stations covered by this route", concludes the carrier's statement.

According to an official source from Metro do Porto, the metro will run on all lines, but with less frequency.

According to SMAQ union leader Hélder Silva, at issue is "the lack of compliance with the AE [Company Agreement] by the company", in this case, ViaPorto, from the Barraqueiro Group, which operates the Porto Metro, in relation to the payment of an annual award.

"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," said Hélder Silva.

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.

"In addition, there are also other issues, such as moving staff from contract to permanent with contracts with exaggerated terms, staff have been doing a very high amount of overtime work this year and are unable to use the appropriate compensation", he listed.

Hélder Silva also said that a strike notice has also been scheduled for the end of the year, and SMAQ is available to dialogue with ViaPorto to resolve the dispute.