Union Signals Openness to Dialogue with Infrastructure Secretariat
The National Union of Drivers and Other Workers (SNMOT) expressed on Tuesday its readiness to meet with the Regional Secretariat for Equipment and Infrastructure to discuss the demands of Horários do Funchal workers. The offer was made in a written statement addressed to Pedro Rodrigues and shared with the media.
There have been no raises in ticket prices or wages, and we are losing purchasing power every year.
José Gomes, bus driver, RTP Madeira
The union’s message comes after months of tension and multiple strikes. In the statement, SNMOT leader Manuel Oliveira clarified several points about the dispute and emphasized the union's commitment to dialogue through formal channels.
Union Criticizes Unequal Application of Salary Updates
In the same statement, Oliveira claimed that salary increases in 2025 were not applied fairly across the company.
This year's salary updates were applied in a discriminatory manner to the HF Workers, being granted only to non-unionized workers and to those unionized with the union affiliated with the CGTP/PCP
Manuel Oliveira, Diário de Notícias Madeira
He also said that the company had not presented any proposal to SNMOT for correcting the salary update for 2025, apart from the one already submitted at the Regional Directorate for Labour.
SNMOT Defends Use of Official Channels
Oliveira insisted that SNMOT follows proper procedures in all negotiations, and will continue to do so. In his words:
has always used and will always use the official channels, as only in this way can the transparency of the negotiation processes and the integrity of the parties be preserved
Manuel Oliveira, Diário de Notícias Madeira
This part of the statement reflects the union's approach to formal negotiations and its rejection of informal or unofficial exchanges.
Union Calls for Respect in Public Communication
The SNMOT also used the opportunity to call for respectful communication from the government. Oliveira reminded officials of their role and responsibility as elected representatives:
The SNMOT will continue to carry out its role independently and always in harmony with the will expressed by the Workers. It was for this purpose that the SNMOT Leadership was elected, and it urges Your Excellencies to do the same.
He then added:
The RAM Government was elected to represent and defend the interests of all Madeirans with the discretion, courtesy, and conduct that an institution of such magnitude demands. With all due respect, certain statements coming from the RAM Government are inappropriate and cannot have a place in a Democratic Rule of Law.
The union's message concludes by reaffirming its independence and its commitment to the interests of its members. The request for a meeting remains open, with no official response from the government yet reported.
Source: Diário de Notícias Madeira
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