New strike for nation’s schools: S.T.O.P schedules protest for Thursday

Portugal’s radical S.TO.P. education union has called a nationwide strike for Thursday in protest against the government’s proposed labour reform, describing the measures as a “serious setback” for workers’ rights.

The strike coincides with a parliamentary debate on the labour package and will see members of the Sindicato de Todos os Profissionais da Educação join a demonstration organised by the trade union confederation CGTP-IN outside the Assembly of the Republic in Lisbon.

S.TO.P. stresses that the industrial action will not affect final assessment meetings or the national Biology and Geology examination scheduled for the same day.

The government’s labour reform has already sparked widespread opposition from unions and has been the trigger for two general strikes – one on December 11, the other more recently on June 3.

Among the most contested measures are plans to extend the use of fixed-term contracts, introduce new rules governing breastfeeding leave, restore individual working-time banks, and remove the automatic reinstatement of workers found to have been unfairly dismissed.

The legislation has advanced to parliament even though the government failed to secure agreement with unions and employers during social dialogue negotiations.

Thursday’s debate is expected to be closely watched as trade unions intensify pressure on the government over what they argue are significant rollbacks of labour protections in Portugal.

Source: LUSA/ SIC Notícias

Natasha Donn

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.