Portuguese railway strike triggers major shutdown

Portugal's national railway company CP cancelled most services on Thursday as employees began a four-day strike over the Easter holidays.

Company spokesperson Ana Portela told Lusa news agency that regional trains had been the most affected, with some long-distance trains running as usual.

The strike will affect passengers wanting to visit their families during the Easter season, Portela added.

Employees from the state-run company walked off to protest against a court decision regarding allowance payments dating back to 1996, as employees complain they are not being paid fully for vacations and public holidays.

"The strike is a clear demonstration of workers' widespread dissatisfaction regarding the company's decision after nine months of negotiations not to give back the debt owed to them, which had been confirmed by the courts," Luis Bravo, president of a Portuguese railway syndicate told Lusa.

The Federation of Transport and Communications Unions also planned a strike on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

The railway strike will continue until the morning of April 7.

The debt-laden country has seen its transport services crippled on numerous occasions in recent months as transport unions protest against wage cuts and poorer working conditions.

Portugal signed a 78 billion euros (84.87 billion U.S. dollars) bailout program in 2011 that ended in May last year. It forced the center-right government to raise taxes and slash spending to reach its growth targets. Endit