Nearly 50 employees from Misericórdias staged a protest today in Lisbon, commencing at the União das Misericórdias Portuguesas and concluding at the Ministry of Labor, Solidarity, and Social Security, pledging to take to the streets again next week.
In conjunction with the demonstration, the Union of Workers in Commerce, Offices and Services of Portugal (CESP) also declared a strike for today, scheduling the next protest for August 14, again at the MTSSS.
CESP union leader Catarina Fachadas explained that the strike and protest encompass workers from Portuguese Misericórdias and Santas Casas da Misericórdia, primarily motivated by the demand for salary increases.
“Every year, unfortunately, it has been necessary to resort to strikes and other forms of struggle,” stated Catarina Fachadas, surrounded by banners protesting against “taking away workers’ rights” and amidst chants such as “a salary increase is urgent and necessary.”
Regarding the workers from Portuguese Misericórdias, their demands focus on salary increases retroactive to January. Additionally, CESP seeks the signing and publication of the agreement made last year.
“Last year, after a strike in May, the União das Misericórdias increased their workers’ pay effective from January,” explained the union leader, noting that the same outcome is sought this year, despite negotiations being conducted directly with the overseeing authorities.
The objective, according to Fachadas, is to “improve the conditions for workers who are either working with fewer resources every day or putting in extra hours daily.”
For employees of Santas Casas da Misericórdia, the issue diverges, as there is consideration to remove the longevity pay supplement and 100% holiday pay.
The leader described it as a rollback of “an already won right,” viewing this change as “taking away part of the monthly salary.”
CESP presented a resolution at the União das Misericórdias Portuguesas and the Ministry of Labor, Solidarity, and Social Security this morning, outlining the workers’ demands and hoping these issues will be addressed by September.
A meeting between the union and MTSSS had been scheduled for July but was canceled and rescheduled for September.
