Reflecting on the economic progress of the Madeira Autonomous Region, the author contrasts its social dialogue model with the current national political landscape. The text criticises the Minister of Labour's exclusive negotiations with a single trade union and highlights the growing disparity between record corporate profits and the stagnant wages of experienced, mid-career professionals. The author argues for a career progression model that rewards seniority and skill acquisition, similar to the public sector, and calls for an end to promotion caps to better support the 'unsung heroes' of the corporate world.