“Offended and angry.” Firefighters feel “amused” by the government’s proposal

The union denounces that the government’s proposals to increase salaries ultimately end up reducing them.

The Government proposed this Wednesday a gradual increase in the remuneration of firefighters 15% to 20% by 2026including the creation of risk and function supplements in response to the demands of these professionals’ unions.

The proposal was presented in a negotiation meeting between the Government, represented by the ministry that manages the Territorial Cohesion portfolio, and the firefighter unions, according to the Lusa agency.

But, according to the National Union of Sapadores firefighters, this proposal ultimately translates into a reduction in base salary professionals, according to statements given to the

“When you present a proposal in which salaries are reduced… This is difficult to explain to firefighters, they feel enjoyed. We have already warned that the firefighters are a powder keg and the Government is trying to light it”, said Ricardo Cunha, president of the Union.

Ricardo Cunha explained to Público why the “revolt” and “offense” that firefighters feel: according to the union leader, the government already includes in this “increase” of 15% in the salary status for 2025 the increase previously promised R$ 56.58 for all servers (added to the additional risk and function values).

I.e, In practice, the increase is zero.

On November 25th, the Union will present a counterproposal what will be “very non-negotiable”says the leader, and with some requirements, for example, supplements have to be fixed as a percentage.

In practice, says Ricardo Cunha, “We are talking about increases between 3 and 40 euros”which “made the firefighters very angry, they considered it a fhigh respect”. He also left a threat of protest in the air if negotiations were not easy.

It is recalled that, on October 2, more than a thousand firefighter sappers expressed their support for the valorization of careers and salary increases, having protested outside the Assembly of the Republic for hours.

On the 3rd of that month, Margarida Blasco, Minister of Internal Administration, among the firefighters, stating that “independ on local authorities” and “not from the State”.