The government is set to present the initial draft proposal for the Collective Work Agreement (ACT).
“The proposal will cover topics such as new ways of organizing nurses’ working hours, particularly flexible scheduling,” stated a note from the ministry led by Ana Paula Martins, following a meeting with union representatives on July 30.
The Minister of Health, the Secretary of State for Public Administration, Marisa Garrido, and the Secretary of State for Health Management, Francisco Rocha Gonçalves, met with seven unions representing nurses, where they presented the negotiating protocol proposal.
According to the government, these meetings marked “the resumption of negotiations, following the commitment made in the Government Program to develop new work organization models, adapted to current challenges and the aspirations of young health professionals, better aligning work with personal and family life.”
Protocols were signed between the Ministries of Health and Finance and various unions, including the National Nurses’ Union (SNE), the Democratic Union of Portuguese Nurses (SINDEPOR), the Nurses’ Union (SE), the Independent Union of Nursing Professionals (SIPENF), and the Independent Union of All United Nurses (SITEU). The Portuguese Nurses’ Union Association (ASPE) also signed the document.
At that time, the Portuguese Nurses’ Union (SEP) was the only union that did not sign the protocol, which is scheduled for further discussion today.
