Unions are calling for at least five strikes and a concentration of security forces for the end of July and the first week of August, coinciding with World Youth Day (WYD), with Pope Francis.
The strikes affected doctors, proofreaders and ticket office workers at the CP, airport attendants, and workers at schools that would welcome pilgrims in Lisbon.
In a June interview with Lusa, Bishop Américo Aguiar, President of the WYD Lisbon 2023 Foundation, said that he understands that the forms of struggle must be announced given the “appearance of the event”, but he also believes “in the Portuguese and Portuguese workers” and in “general common sense “.
But if at the end of the trip, he concluded, “some might say that thanks to the trip they also improved their working conditions and pay, logistics, that’s excellent, great.”
Health care: Doctors and nurses strike
The National Federation of Physicians (Fnam) is threatening to strike on the first days of the trip, August 1-2, unless the government backs down from the “red lines” the federation has drawn in ongoing negotiations.
The Independent Physicians Union, which had already announced a series of suspensions, including a three-day nationwide strike later this month, then decided to suspend the overtime strike in the municipalities of Lisbon, Loures and Odivelas during WYD to avoid losses during the initiative. .
Nurses will also be able to stop during WYD after the Democratic Union of Nurses in Portugal (Sindepor) scheduled a strike from 1 to 4 August.
The stop applies to all 18 municipalities in the Lisbon metropolitan area, to all public services, and takes place from 00:00 on August 1 to 24:00 on August 4.
Transport: CP cash desks and attendants
A partial strike by CP auditors and cashiers has been extended until August 6, covering the period during WYD in Lisbon and could affect trains carrying pilgrims.
Luis Bravo, president of the Traveling Commercial Review Railway Union (SFRCI), said the August strike would affect special trains provided by the company for WDM.
“These special trains are usually provided by the company for special events such as concerts, and in this case it will affect the Youth Days, where 48 special trains are scheduled,” he said.
Education: school officials in doubt
While there are still no signs of teacher protests, which have sparked numerous strikes and demonstrations since last year, non-teaching workers will be able to stop during WYD, when many schools are expected to welcome young pilgrims.
The trade union of workers of state and social services of the South and autonomous regions went on strike from 00:00 to 24:00 from July 31 to August 4.
The union estimates that thousands of employees are being called up for additional work in about 900 schools, which are expected to open their doors to receive pilgrims.
Security forces: protests outside Marcelo and Francisco
The concentration of elements of the security forces next to the President of the Republic as Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa receives Pope Francisco is one of the protests that are to mark the WYD in the first week of August.
The Permanent Coordinating Commission (CCP) of Unions and Associations of Specialists of Forces and Security Services, which includes GNR, PSP, Marine Police, SEF, ASAE and Prison Guards, also plans to deliver leaflets to airports and ports from July 24 to 26. and borders so that visitors “know how security forces and services are being treated.”
In addition to these public actions, the CCP has also prepared “some surprises” for WYD August 1-6, arguing that security professionals should be creative because “not everyone has the right to strike.” .
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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