The third round of negotiations has commenced, following the general approval of the proposed State Budget for 2026 (OE2026), which aligns personnel expenditure estimates with the current multi-annual agreement.
The first meeting at 9:00 a.m. involves the Federação Nacional dos Sindicatos dos Trabalhadores em Funções Públicas e Sociais (Frente Comum), followed by the Federação dos Sindicatos da Administração Pública e de Entidades com Fins Públicos (Fesap) at 10:30 a.m. The final meeting at 12:00 p.m. is with the Frente Sindical, led by the Sindicato dos Quadros Técnicos do Estado (STE).
The initial proposal presented on September 26 by the Government sustains the figures outlined in the current multi-annual agreement for 2026, 2027, and 2028, while suggesting an extension to cover the current legislature until 2029. This includes proposed raises of 2.30%, with a minimum of 60.52 euros.
The existing agreement, signed in November 2024 with two public sector unions (Fesap and Frente Sindical), stipulates raises of 2.15%, with a minimum of 56.58 euros for the following year.
For 2027 and 2028, the agreement outlines increases of 2.3%, with a minimum of 60.52 euros.
The Ministry of Finance on September 26 stated that the proposal to public sector unions covers “other significant topics” including “revision of the current subsistence allowance regime, the evolution and review of SIADAP, and the remuneration statute for managerial staff,” consistent with the Government’s program.
The agreement signed in 2024 updated the value of subsistence allowances by 5% for 2025.
The initial executive proposal has faced opposition from unions who believe the Government should provide further measures.
Speaking to Lusa, the general secretary of Fesap expressed hope that the Government would “respond to the document” submitted by the structure and “go beyond the addendum proposal” attached to the current agreement delivered by the executive.
José Abraão, associated with UGT, reiterated Fesap’s demands for a minimum update of 95 euros for all public employees and to advocate for an increase in the meal subsidy to 10 euros per day, tax-exempt, within the budget related to supplementary remuneration in autonomous regions and a reduction in the employee contribution to ADSE from 3.5% to 2%.
STE’s president, who in the last session mentioned potentially lowering the demand for meal subsidy increase from 12 to 10 euros by 2026, aims to maintain the restoration of three vacation days eliminated during the troika period and proposes a 6.4% salary increase for all public officials in 2026.
“This is our starting point. It is evident that in negotiations the Government might propose less,” noted Helena Rodrigues, acknowledging the anticipated budgetary tightness next year but highlighting it “depends on the Government’s choices” that “can be made.”
In the previous meeting, STE had mentioned the Government “considered” restoring the three vacation days. Although no specific proposal was detailed, the Ministry of Finance announced it took “good note” of the suggestions and would “analyze them,” underscoring it is not yet ready to make commitments.
The Frente Comum, linked to CGTP, demands a 15% salary raise with a minimum of 150 euros starting January 1, along with an increase of the meal subsidy to 12 euros.
Lusa’s attempts to contact the coordinator of the Frente Comum were unsuccessful.
