This afternoon, the trade union central met with the Government to discuss labor reform. It was the first meeting between the two parties, after last week’s general strike.
The General Union of Workers (UGT) emerges optimistic from its first meeting with the Government after the general strike. The leader of the union center says that there is now the environment of “trust” necessary to carry out negotiations on changes to labor law.
Speaking to journalists this afternoon, outside the Ministry of Labor, Solidarity and Social Security, Mário Mourão classified the meeting as “very positive” and “very productive”.
“I brought to the table again the confidence that is necessary in negotiations”, he said.
The general secretary of UGT says he is “optimistic”, given what he heard from the Government, which, he claims, showed “total availability for negotiation”.
Refusing to reveal what was on the table at this meeting, Mário Mourão only said that now the work of “breaking stones” must continue.
“I hope it bears fruit so that an agreement can be reached,” he declared.
The union leader also clarified that a negotiation calendar was not established – -, and explained that the Bilateral meetings between the Executive and the union center may take place, from now on, “at any time”.
Mário Mourão also stressed the importance of the discussion being carried out, in parallel, in social consultation, stressing that to reach an agreement it will be necessary to involve employers.
O after the last Thursday, which aimed to contest the Executive’s proposal to change labor legislation. As for CGTP, the other trade union central to call the strike, it was not called, but after requesting an audience with Luís Montenegro.
