LISBON, Portugal (AP) — A general strike in Portugal is causing travel disruption as trade unions fight government austerity measures adopted in return for a 78 billion ($104 billion) bailout.
Authorities are canceling dozens of international flights, and commuters are trying to get to work without regular bus or train services. The Lisbon subway has also stayed closed.
Officials say they expect government offices, medical services, school classes, mail deliveries and trash collection to be affected Thursday.
Portugal’s two largest trade union confederations, representing more than 1 million mostly blue-collar workers, are fighting government tax hikes and cuts in pay and welfare entitlements. The jobless rate has risen to 12.4 percent amid a double dip recession.
