Following a meeting with Maria Lúcia Amaral, union associations of the GNR expressed a positive outlook, while PSP representatives emphasized the urgent need to resume negotiations.
The agenda for negotiations set for September remains unchanged from January, when talks initiated by the previous Minister of Home Affairs were halted due to the government’s collapse. The main discussion point continues to be the review of the remuneration statute.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Lisbon, César Nogueira, president of the Association of Guard Professionals (APG/GNR), stated that Maria Lúcia Amaral assured them that she would send out the schedule of meetings at the beginning of September to resume negotiations and that she would work “with loyalty and frankness.”
“What needs to change is for these negotiations to start as quickly as possible,” stated Nogueira, highlighting that “the remuneration statute is the most important issue,” followed by the evaluation process.
From the PSP union structures, Paulo Santos, president of the most representative PSP association, the Police Agents Union Association (ASPP/PSP), indicated that daily issues such as “lack of staff, lack of attractiveness, and serious institutional problems” were communicated to the authorities.
“It is urgent to resume the agreement that was made, as it is the only way to provide urgent responses,” said Santos, adding that these structures are still analyzing the negotiation model.
Maria Lúcia Amaral met with four GNR associations: the Association of Guard Professionals (APG), the National Autonomous Guard Association (ANAG), the National Guard Officers Association (ANOG), and the Guard Union Association (AUG). On the PSP side, seven union structures were present: the Police Agents Union Association (ASPP/PSP), the Independent Police Agents Union (SIAP), the Police Professionals Union (SPP), the National Chiefs Career Union (SNCC), the National Police Officers Union (SNOP), the National Police Union (SINAPOL), and the Autonomous Police Union Association (ASAPOL).
In July 2024, when the Ministry of Home Affairs signed an agreement with PSP unions and GNR associations regarding the risk subsidy increase, further negotiations were planned to discuss salary tables, career paths, and supplements review.
Former Minister Margarida Blasco initiated the negotiations in January, only managing to establish a meeting schedule before they were interrupted by the government’s downfall.
