Unions news in Portugal

UGT will "almost certainly" join CGTP and reject agreement on labour law changes

Will protests increasingly occur outside of unions? Perhaps, but not against them

With unionisation rates hovering around 7%, according to official data, there is room for other types of protests organised outside the traditional sphere of trade unions.

"Much more difficult" to be part of the UGT, says Santana Lopes

At the start of the 15th UGT Congress in Figueira da Foz, Mayor Santana Lopes praised those who have the “courage” to support Government measures while still fighting when necessary.

SNQTB and UGT banking unions to hold joint meeting following end of negotiations with banking sector negotiator

At the beginning of last week, the three UGT unions issued a joint statement in which they reported that the Credit Institutions' negotiating group sat at the table “to announce the end of negotiations”.

UGT remains without an elected president

The faction aligned with the PSD had put forward the name of Francisco Pimentel, but withdrew it following a veto from the highest executive body (which is socialist-leaning). Lucinda Dâmaso remains without a successor for the time being.

Without union independence, there is no representativeness

The future of Portuguese trade unionism will depend less on its ability to protest and much more on its ability to convince. To convince workers that it is worth joining.

UGT national secretariat vetoes Francisco Pimentel's name for presidency

The UGT national secretariat vetoed the name proposed by the Social Democratic Workers (TSD), Francisco Pimentel, to assume the presidency of the organization, with the TSD secretary-general, Pedro Roque, classifying the situation as “regrettable”.

TSD propose MP Francisco Pimentel to succeed Lucinda Dâmaso as UGT president

PSD MP and SINTAP president Francisco Pimentel will be the only candidate proposed by the social-democratic faction for UGT president, confirmed Pedro Roque, president of the Social-Democratic Workers (TSD), to Lusa.

Casa da Música workers reject new career plan

“The points we expected to see resolved fall far short” of the workers' demands, states Fernando Pires de Lima, leader of Cena-STE and union delegate at Casa da Música.

Nobody wanted Luís's package!

Contradicting all those who have long tried to inoculate the working class with the notion that there are 'no alternatives' to the current state of affairs, the workers have won. Opinion by André Carmo

Government or unions: who is telling the truth regarding the general strike turnout?

The government says one thing, the unions say the opposite. Between an overwhelming turnout and a negligible one, who is right? The opinion of José Eduardo Martins and Pedro Delgado Alves on Antes Pelo Contrário.

CGTP leader says the country rejects changes to labour law

The leader of the CGTP trade union confederation states that the nation opposes amendments to current labour legislation.

General Strike. A fight for something that is already dead?

Between the unions' guesswork and the Government's cold shoulder, the minister rushes to the microphones to avoid losing the spotlight, while the CGTP celebrates an invisible 'success' in the private sector.

We currently have a kind of CGTP-Chega axis

Experts analyse the strike and the crisis in union representation. In Parliament, Chega aligns itself with the CGTP against labour reform, and the PCP seeks a sign of life in the face of low turnout.

Trade unionism today: what strength remains for strikes? — Debate

There is a new general strike by the CGTP, but the context has changed: lower union membership, a greater weight of the public sector, and predictable protests. What role do unions have today compared to their relevance in the past?

This is how the strength of the CGTP is seen

The Government underestimated the power of the unions in the negotiations.

9 PM. UGT submits amendments to labour reform to political parties

The trade union federation aims to correct points it considers flawed in the Government's proposal. Also in this news bulletin, Rui Tavares warns that the labour package is merely the “start of the right-wing offensive”.

The Minister of Labour has exposed what the CGTP, with great skill, had always camouflaged

The Government approved in the Council of Ministers the proposed bill for the revision of labour law, which will be sent to parliament. Helena Matos, a commentator for CNN Portugal, believes that “we have unions whose limited representation is in the public sector, speaking on behalf of the private sector.”

UGT to reaffirm proposals on labour reform

The trade union centre has already met and is not expected to present new proposals so that there is still a chance of reaching an agreement on the labour package, following the two rejections. Armindo Monteiro will issue a final challenge.

UGT guarantees it will not yield on 'main pillars'

Mário Mourão used the workers' celebration at Jamor to harden the standoff with Montenegro's executive and emphasize the internal unity of the trade union centre.

UGT popular festival with music and dance awaits Mário Mourão and Quim Barreiros

The UGT is at Jamor, Oeiras, today to mark May 1st with a popular festival, where workers are listening to music, dancing, eating, and drinking while waiting for the speech by Secretary-General Mário Mourão.

CGTP calls for a general strike on June 3rd, UGT 'does not exclude' participation

The trade union centre symbolically chose Workers' Day to call for a general strike on June 3rd. The UGT 'does not exclude' participating, but is waiting for the social concertation meeting on May 7th.

May 1st in the country of the left

More than invoking representativeness, which it lacks, the UGT could offer what the country and trade unionism are missing: commitment and responsibility.

Labour Code. The 'tug-of-war' between UGT and the Government

Even with the new rejection from the UGT, the Government is giving the trade union federation another 15 days to show a willingness to compromise. Is there still time for an agreement? Rui Pedro Antunes is the guest.

3 PM: UGT rejects current proposal to amend labour laws

The UGT trade union has voted against the government's latest proposal for changes to labour legislation.

Minister announces new social dialogue meeting and challenges UGT to present a “constructive and clear position”

After the UGT national secretariat rejected the latest version of the labour law revision proposal, the minister announced that it is not enough for the trade union centre to show openness to continue the dialogue; it “will have to show that it effectively wants an agreement”. Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho thus challenged the UGT...

PS points to "unacceptable pressure" on UGT and CGTP: "It was not done to other partners"

With the debate surrounding the labour package at a critical point and various voices calling for an agreement between the parties after long months of negotiations, the PS claims that there was “unacceptable pressure” on union representatives during the process.