General Strike: CGTP Demands Action on Health, Education, Transport
- A nationwide general strike is scheduled for December 11th, 2023, in Portugal, organized by the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (CGTP) and the Union General of Workers (UGT).The...
- The strike was called in response to a draft labor review presented by the Portuguese government.
- This is the first time the CGTP and UGT have coordinated a general strike since June 2013, as noted by Público on November 23rd, 2023.The joint action underscores...
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Portugal Braces for Major General Strike on December 11th
Table of Contents
A nationwide general strike is scheduled for December 11th, 2023, in Portugal, organized by the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (CGTP) and the Union General of Workers (UGT).The strike aims to protest proposed labor law reforms presented by the Portuguese goverment.
Background: The Labor Law Review and union Response
The strike was called in response to a draft labor review presented by the Portuguese government. Details of the proposed reforms, as reported by Reuters on November 23rd,2023,include changes to collective bargaining,working time arrangements,and the power of unions. The CGTP and UGT jointly announced the strike, marking a significant moment of unity between the two major Portuguese trade unions.
This is the first time the CGTP and UGT have coordinated a general strike since June 2013, as noted by Público on November 23rd, 2023.The joint action underscores the depth of concern among Portuguese workers regarding the proposed changes.
Expected Impact: Key Sectors to be Affected
Tiago Oliveira, head of the CGTP, stated on November 27th, 2023, that the health, education, and transport sectors are expected to be the most significantly impacted by the strike.According to Oliveira, as reported by TSF, the strike’s impact will be felt across both the public and private sectors.
Oliveira emphasized the growing awareness and support for the strike, stating, “Everything that involves working with workers, the media space in which we are inserted and in which we have to convey this same message, I think is allowing for an increasingly greater readiness and perception of the need to actually have a major general strike on the 11th.” (TSF, November 27th, 2023).
The potential disruption to these essential services raises concerns about the daily lives of Portuguese citizens. The extent of the impact will depend on worker participation rates and the implementation of minimum service requirements.
Minimum Services and Union Commitments
Tiago Oliveira affirmed that minimum services would be respected, stating, “Minimum services must be respected and will always be respected.” (