Speaking to journalists in Guimarães, Braga district, on the sidelines of a conference on economy and housing, Seguro expressed his “deep concern” over the prospect of the strike.
“The appeal I make is directed at the Government, urging it to take initiatives to ensure dialogue resumes, consider the proposals submitted by the workers through their representatives, and avoid this general strike, which will naturally have negative consequences for the country,” he stated.
The secretary-general of the CGTP announced a general strike for December 11, at the conclusion of the national march against the labor package in Lisbon.
“I am very concerned because the calling of a general strike is rare in our country; the last was more than 10 years ago, and this only happens when workers believe conditions no longer allow for continued dialogue,” added António José Seguro.
He mentioned that he had the opportunity to speak by phone with the UGT leader about the issue but refrained from revealing the details of their conversation.
“At this moment, I make an appeal to the Government, as I believe it has the responsibility, duty, and obligation to prevent this general strike,” he reiterated.
The secretary-general of the CGTP stated that “with positions already taken or in the final decision process by many union structures, it was possible to establish convergence for a general strike on the next December 11.”
Although he did not mention other union structures, it was reported on Friday by Expresso that the UGT would also join this general strike.
The changes contained in the Government’s preliminary draft for revising labor legislation include the extension of fixed-term contract durations, the return of individual hour banks, the removal of the restriction on external hiring after dismissals, the revision of parental leave, and the strengthening of mandatory minimum services in the event of a strike.
