According to a statement released on Sunday, the Independent Nurses Union (SIPEnf) has called for wage adjustments for the profession to take into account the “recent increase in value” compared to other professions.
In a note, the union body said that “following recent increases in other professions, including salaries, SIPEnf requires an adjustment in salaries in line with the complexity and responsibility of the nursing profession.”
By stating that nothing sets nurses “against other professional classes”, the union ensures that “the nursing career, classified as one of the most challenging (Level 3) in the public administration system, should not be underestimated in comparison with other professions”.
“We cannot accept that our profession, which is very complex and vital to the NHS, [Serviço Nacional de Saúde] be treated like others who are less demanding. We must put pressure on the government and use all means, including the media, to make it clear that we will not accept less than we deserve,” said Fernando Parreira, president of SIPENf, quoted in the same article.
The organisation, which along with other unions in the industry is part of a platform for negotiations with the government, has met several demands for the profession.
The union structure “demands an increase of at least two levels of pay in the nurses’ pay scale for all” and “negotiations on a collective bargaining agreement that combines the two existing types of contracts”, i.e. the Individual Employment Agreement – CIT and the Contract for Public Functions (CTFP), “ensuring equal conditions for all nurses”.
The union also demands “the implementation of measures that recognise and minimise the risks and difficulties associated with the nursing profession, with special conditions for retirement”, advocating “retirement at age 62, based on research by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which means a loss of one year of life for every seven years of shift work”.
SIPENf also values ”objective performance assessment based on measurable rather than subjective criteria” and “immediate resolution of problems arising from incorrect or non-implementation of the law, such as scoring and career progression.”
The union structure also regrets that there is not always unity between unions. “Disunity has historically weakened our negotiations, allowing the government to exploit divisions,” he said.
On July 3, five nurses’ unions signed a negotiating protocol with the Health Ministry that included a review of wage scales, but warned that they would not allow an increase of less than €400 in the talks that are about to begin.
“Nurses will not accept a salary increase of less than 400 euros, that is, less than two rates over the course of their career. We made this very clear today at the negotiating table,” Pedro Costa, president of the Nurses’ Union (SE), told Luce after the meeting, which took place at the Ministry of Health.
SE is part of a platform of five trade union structures, which also includes the Independent Union of Professional Nurses (SIPEnf), the Independent Union of All United Nurses (SITEU), the Democratic Union of Portuguese Nurses (SINDEPOR) and the National Union of Enfermeiros (SNE), which signed this protocol of negotiations, that is, the conditions and issues to be negotiated between the two parties.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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