The strike has been a clear success, with services either completely halted or partially affected. Until recently, participation was at 80%, stated Matilde Pereira, Secretary-General of the STTS, in a statement.
The union leader expressed concerns about alleged misinformation spread by management, who reportedly told “employees that this strike would not be recognized.”
“The STTS rejects all such statements and will defend its reputation appropriately,” she asserted, emphasizing that the strike was validated by the Directorate-General for Administration and Public Employment (DGAEP) and that only the union had the authority to call it off, which it did not.
The union representative also pointed out that in the autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira, many workers did not participate because management refused to “recognize strikes called from the mainland.”
Instances of intimidation, threats of sanctions, and service transfers were also reported, with the STTS condemning these actions as unacceptable.
“The National Health Service needs to be rebuilt and not directed in this manner,” she stressed.
Earlier in the day, the STTS had already reported obstructions to the strike, particularly affecting nurses, in various health units across the country.
The work stoppage was scheduled for today, from midnight to 11:59 PM.
