A two-day strike has been announced by the National Union of Agricultural and Food, Beverage and Tobacco Industries Workers (SINTAB) to highlight the company’s reluctance to negotiate workers’ demands. Despite two reconciliation meetings with the Directorate-General for Employment and Labor Relations (DGERT), the company has failed to present any proposal, according to the union.
During the first meeting on September 1, Nobre Alimentação, based in Rio Maior in the Santarém district, claimed financial struggles. However, they were asked to present the Single Report, revealing over two million in profits the previous year and an increase in staff numbers, as stated by SINTAB official Diogo Lopes.
The union believes these figures contradict the company’s claims, suggesting a stable financial and employment situation.
Diogo Lopes added that SINTAB expected the company to make a counterproposal following the second conciliation meeting on October 23, which did not occur.
In an assembly on October 24, workers decided to proceed with the strike scheduled for November 7 and 10, demanding negotiations on their demands.
These demands include a salary increase of 150 euros, an increase in meal allowance from 5.50 to eight euros, increased compensation for night work, changes in longevity pay, 25 days of vacation, and an end to precarious hiring practices, among others.
With a new reconciliation meeting scheduled at DGERT on December 17, these two strike days aim to pressure the company and demonstrate the workers’ commitment to receiving a concrete response, said Diogo Lopes.
The union leader anticipates higher participation in this 24th strike, not only due to the company’s lack of response but also because of proposed government labor legislation that workers oppose.
The strike picket will gather on Friday in front of the company, with Andreia Doroteia from the National Council of CGTP-IN in attendance.
