portuguese teachers are planning a nationwide strike on December 11th, threatening widespread disruption to the country’s education system as tensions rise with the government over proposed labor reforms. The National Federation of Teachers (FNE) argues the changes undermine workers’ rights and has vowed a complete shutdown of schools if their concerns are not addressed. Representing a important portion of Portugal’s teaching workforce, the FNE is prepared to challenge the government’s position, potentially impacting students and families across the nation.
Portuguese teachers are prepared to strike December 11, potentially closing schools across the country, as labor disputes with the government escalate. The nationwide work stoppage is in response to proposed labor reforms that unions say threaten workers’ rights.
Pedro Barreiros, secretary-general of the National Federation of Teachers (FNE), said a complete shutdown of the education system is “a real and legitimate possibility” if the government doesn’t address union concerns. The FNE, which is affiliated with the UGT federation, represents a significant portion of Portugal’s teaching workforce.
“Without teachers, without operational assistants, without administrative assistants and without specialized technicians, it is not possible to guarantee the functioning of a school,” Barreiros stated. He indicated that the level of mobilization within the education sector suggests widespread school closures are likely.
While the FNE has not provided specific estimates for the number of schools that will be affected, Barreiros emphasized the “deep indignation” felt by educators over the proposed reforms. The union argues the changes represent a direct attack on labor rights and disregard warnings from organizations representing teachers and school staff.
“If there is a widespread closure, it will be unequivocal proof that the Government cannot ignore the strength, determination and unity of education professionals,” Barreiros said. He added that any disruption to school activities demonstrates the “importance and social value of education workers.”
The FNE is holding the government responsible for any inconvenience the strike may cause to students and parents, asserting that the disruption is a direct result of the government’s unwillingness to negotiate in good faith. The union maintains it has been open to finding solutions but has not received a reciprocal response from the government.
The decision to strike was made following a unanimous vote by both the National Secretariat and the General Council of the UGT on November 13. The FNE was the first organization within the UGT to publicly take a firm stance against the government’s legislative offensive, approving a resolution on November 7 titled “Against the Attack on Workers’ Rights.”
That resolution called on the UGT to promote a joint public position from all its federations and unions against the proposed labor reform, to initiate institutional and political efforts to alter the process, and to consider calling a general strike if the government does not back down.
1 QUESTION…
In a general strike of this nature, is the question of minimum services raised?
The imposition of minimum services during a general strike would be a very negative political signal and an attempt to limit a constitutional right that must be fully respected, according to the FNE.
The definition of minimum services is regulated by the law on strike and applies only to services considered essential for meeting unavoidable social needs. Regular teaching activity in schools is not usually covered by this classification, although in recent times there have been numerous attempts to do so, but the courts have ruled in our favor.
The decision on the existence or not of minimum services does not fall to the FNE. It is a competence that involves the Government and, when necessary, an arbitration panel, which assesses on a case-by-case basis whether the legal conditions for its fixing are met.
In a general strike such as that of December 11, and given the legal framework in force, the rule is that there are no minimum services for regular teaching activity. The FNE understands that the right to strike, as a constitutional right, must be fully respected and that any decision regarding minimum services in education must always be exceptional, duly justified and proportionate, particularly in very specific situations, such as exams or national tests.
The FNE believes that resorting to minimum services in a general strike would be not only unjustified, but also deeply revealing of the willingness to condition the struggle of workers. If the Government insists on this path, it will become evident to the whole country that it prefers to restrict rights instead of initiating a genuine dialogue that allows finding balanced and fair solutions.
