Widespread support for general strike

EPSU affiliates report strong support for the general strike that took place on 27 June in protest at the government's austerity measures. The STAL local government union estimated that nine out of 10 workers in the sector supported the action. SINTAP argues that it was the most solidly supported general strike that sent a clear message to the government. STE said that the strike achieved a key aim in uniting workers and giving a sense of optimism about an alternative to austerity. [Read more at > STAL (PT)->http://www.stal.pt/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1256&Itemid=1] [And at >

The two-day national strike in public administration against the government's economic policies and attacks on public service workers was supported across a wide range of services. Workers in water supply, the fire service, primary schools, kindergarten and in general administration took part with 100% support from refuse collection workers in many areas. The unions are intent on maintaining their campaign with the next step a national demonstration on 25 November supported by the CGTP-IN federation. [Read more at > STAL (PT)->http://www.stal.pt/artigo.asp?id=839] [And at > STAL (PT)->http:/

Around 70%-75% of workers in local administration supported the two-day strike last month in protest at government policies on the public sector. In particular the STAL union is calling for a 5.5% pay increase to compensate for a loss of purchasing power in recent years and a minimum 50 euro per month increase for all workers. [Read more at > STAL->http://www.stal.pt/artigo.asp?id=762] The SINTAP union has also attacked the government for offering a 1.5% pay increase for 2006 when inflation is at 2.5%. The union also estimates that public sector workers have seen their pay fall in real terms