Portuguese labor confederations have not confirmed plans to join Spain’s Nov. 11 general strike, leaving the proposed Iberian action dependent on decisions by unions in Lisbon over an agenda centered on housing and wages.
Unai Sordo, secretary-general of Comisiones Obreras (CCOO), said Spanish unions were in contact with Portuguese counterparts considering a strike for the same date. EFE reported the remarks after an Oct. 22 interview hosted by RTVE and EFE.
Spain’s UGT registered a 24-hour strike with CCOO and other unions and tenants’ organizations at the Labor Ministry on Oct. 19. UGT says the action is meant to advance affordable housing, higher wages, and labor and social rights. The union is seeking at least a 7% increase in Spain’s minimum wage in 2027, citing stalled collective bargaining and housing costs it says workers struggle to meet. UGT says employees who strike will lose pay for the hours they miss. UGT and CCOO agreed earlier in October to call an autumn strike, with housing groups and tenants’ organizations helping select the date, UGT said.
The Lisbon housing protest movement has asked Portugal’s CGTP-IN and UGT to call a strike on Nov. 11, RTVE/EFE reported. Organizers want rent limits, more public housing and repeal of new rental legislation. João Veloso, the movement’s spokesperson, told EFE the group wanted the action to bring unions on both sides of the border together.
In comments to Lusa, CGTP-IN left open the possibility of a general strike but said union leaders should consider whether the purpose and circumstances could lead to a successful action. CGTP-IN also pointed to earlier general strikes over a labor package in explaining its cautious approach, Observador reported. Lusa reported in a story carried by Observador that Portugal’s UGT had not answered its question about joining as of Oct. 21.
RTVE/EFE reported that Lisbon activists planned a demonstration Saturday, Oct. 24, from Praça do Marquês de Pombal to Rossio.
