The strike was organized by the National Union of Workers in the Food, Beverages, Agriculture, Aquaculture, Fisheries, and Related Services (STIAC) as part of a broader series of protests planned for this year.
“The main reason is the widespread discontent with salaries,” stated worker Diogo Lopes, noting that the pay increases implemented by the company “are not discussed with the workers and do not follow the claims presented by the union.”
According to Lopes, who is a member of STIAC, the wage increases ranged from seven to 100 euros, causing dissatisfaction among employees.
Worker Vítor Martins also criticized the management for maintaining a “imposed and unequal” wage policy.
“When the company was acquired by the state-owned banking institution of Portugal, the salary policy completely changed. Over the last 12 years, our purchasing power, benefits, and quality of life have deteriorated,” he stated.
Martins further explained that, although there have been “small increases over the past two years,” these have only benefited some employees, leaving others behind.
“There are workers with decades of experience who are not valued,” he emphasized.
A key issue of the strike is the freezing of collective bargaining since 2009.
“The collective agreement that applies to the sector has been stalled since 2009. A proposal is always submitted, but the employers’ association refuses to negotiate a new contract,” he explained.
The workers demand an increase in the base salary to 1,000 euros, better valuation of shift and meal allowances, an end to the gender pay gap, and the right to 25 working days of vacation.
“It’s unfortunate that, in the 21st century, there is still gender pay inequality in this company,” Vítor Martins asserted.
Bruno Simões, an employee with more than 30 years of service, noted that his salary “is barely higher than that of new hires.”
Simões also highlighted the strain of shift work and advocated for lowering the retirement age for those in such roles.
The union reported significant, though not complete, participation in the strike.
“Not everyone joined, but the mobilization is very good,” Vítor Martins stated, adding that further strikes are scheduled for the coming months.
The strike was also attended by the coordinator of the Left Bloc, Mariana Mortágua, who stressed the need to “respond to these workers.”
“The family managing Sumol Compal is among the 50 richest in the country. Yet, the workers in this company earn low wages that are very close to the minimum wage and cannot secure pay raises (…) It is necessary to address these workers’ concerns,” she stated.
