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Portugal: unions convince Lisbon city council to reject outsourcing

In 2010, when Lisbon City Council drew up plans to outsource services, the STAL and STML trade unions worked together to compile evidence to oppose the changes. Despite the short timescale offered by the council to discuss the proposals, the unions managed to put together a convincing case, using material from research by EPSU and PSIRU, warning of the risks involved in outsourcing. This focused not just on quality of services but the impact on workers' pay and conditions. The council changed its mind about outsourcing refuse collection and waste management and the unions continue to campaign to protect other services.

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