The Federation of Public Administration and Public Entity Unions (Fesap) is the first to be received in the context of the annual general negotiation process at 9:00 a.m., followed by the Union Front, led by the Union of State Technical Staff (STE), at 10:30 a.m., and the National Federation of Unions of Public and Social Function Workers (Common Front), at 12:00 p.m.
The government has already expressed its willingness to advance with a new multiannual agreement, proposing measures including a 10-cent annual increase in the public service meal subsidy starting in 2027, salary increases of 2.30% with a minimum of 60.52 euros in 2029, as well as reviewing the cost allowance regime in force, revising the SIADAP, and the remuneration statute of executive staff.
In statements to Lusa, Fesap Secretary-General José Abraão believes that the “government must go further” to reach a new agreement, particularly on increasing the meal subsidy for 2026 and “the issue of holidays,” although he acknowledges “the progress” made on the proposal to revise some previously unplanned careers, such as those of IPMA and museum workers.
The leader of this union structure, affiliated with UGT, describes the proposed increase in the meal subsidy presented to the unions as “ridiculous,” advocating the restoration of the three holidays removed during the ‘troika’ as well as the restoration of five additional days, instead of the possibility of buying two days of holiday, currently a topic of discussion under the review of labor legislation in social concertation.
He warns: “Otherwise, the staff will take to the streets,” referencing the announcement of a general strike uniting CGTP and UGT on December 11 against the labor package, which “also affects many public administration workers.”
Fesap proposes that the base remuneration in the public sector rise to 973.41 euros in 2026 and a minimum update of 95 euros for all workers, besides increasing the meal subsidy to 10 euros per day, tax-free.
STE President Maria Helena Rodrigues also criticizes the proposal for a meal subsidy increase, calling it “humiliating” and expressing hope for “approaches” regarding this union’s demands.
STE, also affiliated with UGT, demands salary increases of 6.4% in 2026, raising the meal subsidy to 10 euros next year, and restoring the three holidays.
Meanwhile, the Common Front coordinator states that the government “promised to present another proposal at this meeting” and notes that “it is in their hands to either continue fueling conflict or not.”
Sebastião Santana accuses the executive of showing no interest in valuing those who work or public services, assuring that “the struggle” will continue, recalling the strike called by this structure on October 24, which was “the largest in recent years,” as well as last Saturday’s CGTP demonstration against the labor package “which had over 100,000 people,” and the general strike already announced for December 11.
The Common Front, affiliated with CGTP, demands a 15% salary increase with a minimum of 150 euros starting January 1, as well as updating the meal allowance to 12 euros.
The current agreement, signed in November 2024 with two of the Public Sector’s union structures (Fesap and the Union Front), provides for increases of 2.15%, with a minimum of 56.58 euros for 2026.
For 2027 and 2028, the agreement establishes increases of 2.3%, with a minimum of 60.52 euros.
