The National Nurses Union (SNE) is ready to “negotiate with the government until the last minute” and find solutions to review pay scales, expand full-time employment and raise the retirement age.
In its statement, the SNE acknowledges that it is impossible to fix in three months the problems “that successive governments have created in the National Health Service (SNS) over the last 15 years”, but expresses its commitment to finding solutions to these problems. These three issues correspond to “three priorities already identified”.
The next negotiating meeting with the Ministry of Health is scheduled for July 26, and regarding the revision of the salary table, the SNE intends to increase two salary positions for all nurses, citing the standards for the transition to the negotiation process.
According to him, this revision of the salary table will bring in about 150 million euros a year.
As for full dedication, he advocates a voluntary transition from 35 hours to 40 with a salary increase of at least 25% of the category occupied, with it being paid 14 times a year towards retirement.
Regarding the early retirement age, the SNE wants to introduce a voluntary regime for people over 60 years of age or 40 years of professional practice, citing the risks and difficulties of the profession.
In addition to these priority issues, SNE has a list of other topics for discussion with the government, expressing its willingness to discuss them from 6 January 2025. This list includes a performance evaluation model, access to research, annual training hours or increased number of training hours, vacation days for nurses with an individual employment contract (IUC) and a state employment contract (SEC), and others.
SNE is part of the Platform of the Nurses’ Union, which also brings together the Independent Union of All United Nurses (SITEU), the Nurses’ Union (SE), the Independent Union of Professional Nurses (SIPENF) and the Democratic Union of Nurses of Portugal (SINDEPOR).
It should be noted that last week, the Portuguese Nurses’ Union Association (ASPE) suspended a meeting with the Health Ministry that was scheduled for July 18, after the authorities said they would not negotiate with movements that had given advance notice of a strike planned, according to its president.
This union’s strike notice includes a strike on September 2.
On the same day, the Ministry of Health also suspended negotiations with the Portuguese Nurses Union (SEP) due to the announcement of a strike on August 2.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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