The unions representing Lusa employees, including the Union of Journalists and the Unions of Service Sector Workers and Transformative Industries, Energy, and Environmental Activities for the Center-South and Autonomous Regions, have called for a meeting on Thursday. This decision followed a statement by Lusa’s president revealing a submitted plan for worker exits by agreement.
“We learned that while we were negotiating, plans for worker terminations were being made without informing the unions,” stated a joint communiqué sent to the workers.
Today, in a statement to Lusa, the Chairman of the Board confirmed ongoing negotiations, emphasizing that they concern a “voluntary exit plan,” with assurances that there will be no dismissals or layoffs.
“It is necessary to qualify, renew, and logically contemplate something not as terminations, but as a voluntary exit plan,” he remarked.
This follows the announcement in the proposal for the 2026 State Budget (OE2026) of a restructuring plan for Lusa valued at eight million euros. According to Lusa’s chairman, after tax deductions, the available amount will be approximately six million euros, distributed across various company areas.
“It includes new operational systems, new technologies, investments in areas where we are currently weaker and where investments are needed: artificial intelligence, innovation linked to technological training, and strengthening and requalifying human resources,” the chairman said.
A leader from the Union of Journalists criticized the plan, arguing that the priority should be salary increases, although acknowledging that the budget is not solely for terminations.
“We are completely against it because we do not see its advantage. To us, it makes sense for this budget to be used to improve the salaries and working conditions of existing employees,” the union leader stated.
The workers’ meeting at Lusa is scheduled for Thursday, November 13, at 3:30 PM, at the news agency’s headquarters in Lisbon.
