The second meeting focused on the negotiation process for the general salary update for 2026 took place following the proposal made on September 26 by Marisa Garrido, Secretary of State for Public Administration, suggesting to the unions an extension of the current agreement to cover the legislative term until 2029, as the existing agreement only extends to 2028.
It was also the first meeting after the government submitted the 2026 State Budget proposal to the Assembly on Thursday, which includes projected personnel expenditure based on the current multi-year agreement.
The union front, led by the Union of Technical Staff of the State (STE), was the first received at 09:00, followed by the National Federation of Unions of Public and Social Workers (Common Front) at 10:30, and the Federation of Public Administration and Purpose Entities Unions (Fesap) at 12:00.
In a statement released after the first round of negotiations, the Ministry of Finance confirmed that the government’s initial proposal includes a “2.30% increase, with a minimum of 60.52 euros, for 2029, maintaining the increases established for 2026, 2027, and 2028.”
The current agreement, signed in November 2024 with two public service union structures (Fesap and the Union Front), outlines a 2.15% increase, with a minimum of 56.58 euros for the coming year.
If this proposal is maintained, the base remuneration in public administration (commonly referred to as the state minimum wage) will rise from the current 878.41 euros to 934.99 euros in 2026.
For 2027 and 2028, the agreement determines increases of 2.3%, with a minimum of 60.52 euros.
The Ministry of Finance also indicated that the proposal presented to the civil service unions includes “other relevant matters,” notably the “revision of the current allowance regime, the evolution and review of the SIADAP, as well as the remunerative statute of management staff,” in line with measures provided in the government program.
The agreement signed last year updated the cost-of-living allowances by 5% starting this year.
The government’s initial proposal falls short of the demands made by the three union structures representing public employees.
Fesap, affiliated with the UGT, proposes that the base remuneration in public service be increased to 973.41 euros in 2026 and a minimum update of 95 euros for all workers, along with an increase in the meal subsidy to 10 euros per day, tax-free.
In statements to Lusa, the secretary-general of Fesap pointed out that the government’s initial proposal is “clearly insufficient,” as it “only addresses the extension of the agreement” currently in force and that there are other issues the union wants to see discussed.
“It concerns the contributions for the 2026 State Budget [which we sent to the government and] that we had no response to,” said José Abraão, emphasizing that the topics include “a norm regarding the 2025 State Budget that concerns the autonomous regions, allowances, wages,” or the rescheduling of careers that have not yet been reviewed. Only after the government’s feedback will Fesap consider presenting a possible new counterproposal.
Meanwhile, the Union Front, led by the STE, is demanding a 6.4% salary increase for all public employees in 2026 and an update of the meal allowance to 12 euros.
The STE president told Lusa that they are willing to lower these demands to reach a potential agreement with the government, although she prefers not to mention specific amounts but stresses that they will continue to push for raises above those outlined in the current agreement, hoping “the government will elevate their proposal as well.”
On the other hand, the coordinator of the Common Front stated they are awaiting the government’s response to their proposal, though they have “little expectation” given the proposal for the 2026 State Budget submitted.
“That’s why we maintain the strike scheduled for October 24,” highlighted Sebastião Santana to Lusa.
This framework, affiliated with the CGTP, is demanding a 15% salary increase with a minimum of 150 euros starting January 1, as well as updating the meal subsidy to 12 euros.
