Fuel Tanker Drivers Threaten New Strike in Portugal

May 04: Portuguese fuel tanker drivers have threatened further action, less than two weeks after a three-day strike over low wages and poor working conditions brought the country to a virtual standstill. Half of the country’s petrol stations ran dry, factories halted production, public transport routes were suspended and flights cancelled.

On Monday, following a meeting with the National Association of Freight Carriers (ANTRAM), Pedro Pardal Henriques, the vice president of the Union of Dangerous Goods Drivers (SNMMP)—formed just over a year ago—declared that a new strike is “most likely.” ANTRAM had been given a deadline of one week to “concretely pronounce on two main issues … official recognition of the category of driver of dangerous substances and that the basic salary of these people should be equal to twice the national minimum wage.” Minimum wage is €700 ($780) a month.

Source: WSWS / Paul Mitchell