The National Union of Professional Firefighters (SNBP) has accused the Lisbon Fire Brigade command of “improper use of off-duty firefighters in exercises/drills to replace striking workers.”
In a statement, the union claims that some firefighters “who were off duty” were called “to participate in Exercise Fénix 25 in Lisbon, right on the first day of the strike [Monday].”
The union plans to file complaints with the Inspectorate-General of Finance or the Directorate-General for Public Administration and Employment alleging that, according to president Sérgio Carvalho, “these exercises were not included in the minimum services agreed with the command.”
“We signed the minimum services agreement with the Lisbon City Council, in the presence of the commander, agreeing on the services the firefighters would perform during the strike and those they wouldn’t,” Carvalho stated, specifying that “exercises and drills, as well as other administrative situations that do not compromise emergency response to the public,” would not take place during the strike.
The SNBP reported that on Monday, “firefighters who were at home came to perform the service that others did not due to the strike,” as part of the Fénix exercise conducted in the Lisbon area.
Sérgio Carvalho accused the commander of reneging on the signed agreement by deploying “a rescue vehicle in the exercise, with some off-duty firefighters coming to perform that service.”
“This cannot happen in any workplace. Strikers cannot be replaced by other workers, particularly those coming from home to do the job,” Carvalho added, noting that on the second day of the strike, with a participation rate “over 90%,” exercises continued.
He expressed concern about the “constant deployment of rescue vehicles in exercises and the immense pressure on firefighters to participate in these exercises,” adding that despite the Lisbon Fire Brigade commander’s military background, “he must comply with the legislation and the agreement signed with the Lisbon City Council.”
In the statement, the union criticized the “mismanagement of RSBL’s personnel,” highlighting that “on a day when there were not enough firefighters for rescue vehicles, the commander did not call in off-duty firefighters to ensure those rescue vehicles were operational,” yet managed to summon off-duty firefighters for an exercise previously excluded from minimum services.
Sérgio Carvalho pointed out that “it is easy to see that people are not acting in good faith” because “they attend meetings where minimum services are negotiated—as recorded in signed minutes—and are the first to breach the agreement.”
The strike is scheduled to continue until December 17 or “until the mayor of Lisbon [Carlos Moedas], or his delegate, informs the union when the protective equipment, rainwear, cold weather jackets, helmets, and flashlights for firefighters will be provided.”
The strike is driven by various issues, including the lack of individual protective equipment, “scarcity of personnel and vehicles without crews, some without specific equipment for several years,” as well as facilities with “inadequate living conditions.”
The union leader further questioned when “more than 10% of the regiment’s personnel, out of a thousand men, will stop using mostly second-hand equipment and clothing” and when a requalification and organization plan will be introduced.
Lusa tried unsuccessfully to obtain comments from the Lisbon Fire Brigade command.
