The president of the Portuguese Nurses’ Union Association (ASPE), Alvara Silva, has voiced concerns over delays in the performance evaluations for 2021/2022, with April 30 set as the final deadline. “The last communication, via email, stated this would be completed by the end of April. However, given the ongoing situation, we have serious doubts about its truthfulness. If the evaluations are not officially endorsed by then, we are prepared to pursue legal action to demand not only the owed payments but also the corresponding interest,” warned Alvara Silva.
The delay affects nurses at the S. João Local Health Unit in Porto, where the pending performance evaluations are deemed critical for career advancement. Silva highlighted that the evaluations for 2021/2022 and 2023/2024 are significant for salary adjustments, and the failure to execute these evaluations is hindering the application of legislation that has been evolving since 2019.
Silva cited the example of the career accelerator, a mechanism designed to reward long-serving nurses. “This has not been implemented because the performance evaluation results are not applied, potentially allowing a nurse to advance one or more pay grades.” She pointed out that this delay results in a financial impact of approximately 150 to 200 euros per month per professional, with some accruing debt exceeding six thousand euros.
ASPE asserts that it is unacceptable for an organization regarded as a model to fail in key areas affecting its workers. “ASPE is cautious in pursuing legal routes. We understand the slow pace of the judicial system, but ASPE has never lost a case in court, and we are confident in our position in this matter,” Silva stated.
The S. João Local Health Unit, when contacted, indicated that a response would be provided at a later time.
