High level of support for strike

Unions say that there was a high-level of support for the national public sector strike on 8 November. EPSU affiliates STAL, SINTAP, STE and APIT were all involved in the action which was in protest at the latest round of cuts proposed in the Budget. Public sector workers earning over €600 a month are facing pay cuts while there will also be reductions in pensions as part of a €3.9 billion package of cuts. [Read more at > EPSU (EN)->http://www.epsu.org/a/9897] [And at > STAL (PT)->http://www.stal.pt/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1333&Itemid=1] [And at > SINTAP (PT)->www.sintap.pt]

The public service federations – FSC-CCOO and FSP-UGT – report high levels of support for the general strike on 29 March. The strike was in protest at government proposals for labour reform that would significantly weaken employment rights. FSC-CCOO said there were over 100 demonstrations around the country and that the mobilisation in Madrid was bigger than in the previous general strike in September 2010. FSP-UGT estimated support in the central administration at 50%, in regional government at 57% and 64% local authorities. The FSC-CCOO also reported action around the world in Spanish

Workers in Spanish embassies and consulates in Sweden, Denmark and Norway overwhelmingly supported strike action over their pay and conditions. Unions argue that these workers are not covered by appropriate collective agreements or any proper rules on pay and conditions. The workers may have lost out to the tune of 20% or 30% of pay and the unions are warning of further strike action in November if the government does not take action to resolve the situation facing some 6,000 workers in Spanish embassies and related offices around the world. [Read more at > FSP-UGT (ES)->http://www.fspugt.es