Manuel de Almeida / LUSA
The general secretary of UGT, Mário Mourão
Mário Mourão, general secretary of UGT, does not rule out the possibility of a new general strike. This Thursday’s strike exceeds 80% across the country.
The first general strike in 12 years is having a large turnout.
Mário Mourão states that this year’s strike should have more impact than the one in 2013. Speaking to , he said he has no doubt that it is going well: “I think that joining the strike could reach 80%.”
The general secretary of UGT also made it known this morning that it is not out of the question to hold a new workers strike: “strike can never be excluded when we are negotiating.”
Still, “it is not currently planned or thought of” – he said, adding that “the decision will always be made by the UGT unions (…) we will naturally listen to our unions and UGT bodies to find out the path to follow”.
“This strike will contribute to ensuring that the negotiating environment is one-sided. We must be willing to give in, from one side to the other, without jeopardizing the rights of workers”, said Mário Mourão, quoted by , stating that, “until now, there has been no negotiating will”.
In 51 years of democracy, this is only the fifth time that CGTP and UGT have come together to go on a general strike.
