Last night Portugal’s fuel-tanker drivers voted to call off an indefinite strike. Their union ANTRAM said they were open to government-moderated negotiations, but only if the strike was suspended or called off. A meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 20th August, to resume negotiations.
National Hazardous Goods Drivers’ Union (SNMMP) started striking on Monday 12th August, demanding better salaries and working conditions after negotiations with their employers’ association ANTRAM failed. It was their second strike this year.
During the strike, motorists were limited to buying up to 15 litres (4 gallons) of petrol at special filling stations. The Algarve was the hardest hit, with popular tourist filled areas of the region running out of fuel on Thursday. However no major problems were reported at the country’s airports.