The 48-hour strike of bus drivers in Madeira gained new momentum yesterday, with the National Union of Drivers (SNMOT) announcing that workers have mandated the Union to call a new strike for the day of the traditional Festa do Chão da Lagoa. The objective is clear: “to demonstrate to Miguel Albuquerque that these workers do not allow anyone to play with them.”
The statements were made yesterday morning by Manuel Oliveira, the president of SNMOT, after the plenary session in Praça do Município, in Funchal. The trade unionist did not spare criticism of the President of the Regional Government, accusing him of “discriminating against workers” and failing to uphold the position he holds. He is also accused of distancing himself from the unions.
The union leader also took stock of the ongoing stoppage of Horários do Funchal and Rodoeste, regretting that ACIF refused to hold a meeting yesterday afternoon, as proposed by the union, to discuss the terms of a proposal that, according to Oliveira, came from ACIF itself. “For reasons that we do not understand, they decided not to hold this meeting,” he said in statements to JM FM radio.
Regarding Horários do Funchal, the President of SNMOT denied having received any proposal for a salary increase of 20 euros. He says that the only proposal he received was five euros and an openness to discuss reducing workers’ timetables to 35 hours per week.
This morning, Horários do Funchal confirmed that the following bus routes are operational: 01, 02, 03, 08, 09, 10, 10A, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 29, 31, 34, 36, 38, 39, 40, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 90 (except Curral Velho), and bus 81 is on its normal schedule.
The company will continue to update its website and notify customers of any changes.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
