Disruption in Hospitality and Tourism Sectors Due to Staff Walkout in Portugal
May Day 2022 Strike Announcement in Portugal
In a bold move for the workers in commerce, offices, and services, Sitese has announced a one-day strike on May 1st, Workers' Day. The strike is aimed at companies associated with APED - Portuguese Association of Distribution Companies. This strike isn't for the faint-hearted, as it starts at the stroke of midnight and ends at midnight too.
The essence behind this protest is a cry for "decent work" and the battle against precariousness, according to the announcement. The workers are demanding higher wages, stronger protection of their rights, respect, and full compliance with collective bargaining agreements.
This notice from Fesaht covers all workers across various sectors, including agriculture, food, and beverages, forestry, hypermarkets and supermarkets, cleaning services, hotels, restaurants, tourism, tourist vessels, campsites, rural tourism establishments, entertainment venues, spas, casinos, gaming rooms, football clubs, canteens, cafeterias, bars, motorway service areas, rail transport catering services, factories producing meals and baked goods, aircraft fuelers, private and cooperative education, IPSSs, charities, INATEL Foundation, Movijovem, SUCH, Turismo de Portugal, for-profit and non-profit homes, service providers, and similar establishments.
The primary intention is for workers to attend demonstrations promoted by CGTP-IN to honor Workers' Day and demand a general increase in wages and pensions, regulate maximum prices on essential goods, tax company profits, defend workers' rights, and battle the escalating cost of living and exploitation.
As per the Fesaht strike notice, workers are demanding a 15% wage hike for each employee, with a minimum increase of €150. An immediate extraordinary increase in the National Minimum Wage to €1,000 is also requested. The notice also demands a 50% increase for weekend work and a 25% increase for work carried out under a split-time and shift system.
Other demands include granting two consecutive days of rest for all workers, raising all pensions and retirement benefits to restore purchasing power, increasing social support benefits, eliminating burdensome labor legislation, applying a tax on the profits of large companies, reducing working hours to 35 hours per week without pay cut, rejecting adaptability, time banks, and concentrated schedules, ending precarious employment, improving vacations, unblocking collective bargaining, and ensuring free and quality public services.
Although the FESAHT notice specifies the strike period, it also covers the preceding and succeeding periods to accommodate work that doesn't coincide within the main strike period.
During the strike, minimum services established in collective labor contracts and minimum meal services will be guaranteed, particularly for geriatric meals for bedridden patients and minimum services in laundries, including emergency washings.
While specific details about this strike aren't widely available, it's worth noting that May Day, or Labor Day, is typically marked by protests and strikes to advocate for workers' rights globally. FESAHT could potentially be a union or federation involved in such labor movements, focusing on issues like wage increases, improved working conditions, job security, and social benefits.
- The strike announced by Sitese on May 1st, Workers' Day, extends to various sectors beyond commerce, offices, and services, including tourism, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and sports.
- The loud call for "decent work" and battles against precariousness extends not only to workers associated with APED but also to those in football clubs, hotels, restaurants, and similar establishments.
- Fesaht's strike notice covers a broad spectrum of industries, such as food and beverages, agriculture, and general news outlets like Turismo de Portugal.
- The workers' demands include a 15% wage hike, an increase in the National Minimum Wage, better working conditions, and more social benefits, which align with common issues in crime-and-justice and politics.
- May Day strikes across different nations often echo the calls made by FESAHT, advocating for workers' rights, improved wages, better working conditions, and social benefits, with the hope of fostering a more equitable lifestyle for all.
