EIROnlineThe European Industrial Relations Observatory (EIRO) is a monitoring instrument offering news and analysis on European industrial relations. Its aim is to collect, analyse and disseminate high-quality and up-to-date information on key developments in industrial relations in Europe. It aims primarily to serve the needs of national and European level organisations of the social partners, governmental organisations and EU institutions.Strikes in public sector over budget cuts- January 15, 2007 In November 2006, the Portuguese parliament approved the 2007 draft budget. The bill was passed thanks to the votes of the majority Socialist Party as all the other parties voted against the budget. The public sector trade unions, who oppose both the budget and government plans for the public sector, launched a two-day general strike on 910 November.http://www.eiro.eurofound.eu.int/2006/11/articles/pt0611019i.html Social partners sign landmark agreement on minimum wage increase- January 15, 2007 On 5 December 2006, the government and the social partners signed an agreement to increase the statutory minimum wage during the period 20072011 at an annual rate of about 5.3%. It is the first time in the history of social concertation in Portugal that tripartite negotiations regarding the minimum wage have resulted in an agreement. At present, the statutory minimum wage covers about 5% of the workforce. As the agreed annual increases of the minimum wage are higher than the growth rate of...http://www.eiro.eurofound.eu.int/2006/12/articles/pt0612029i.html Strikes at Lisbon metro over renewal of collective agreement- January 9, 2007 The recent strikes at Lisbons underground transport system Metro de Lisboa attracted a high level of participation, resulting in a serious impact on daily life in the greater Lisbon area. The main demand of the striking workers is that the continuity of their company agreement be guaranteed, at least until 2011. In response to the vociferous strike action, the management of Metro de Lisboa has promised to offer a negotiated solution to the problem. The strikes at the company prove that the...http://www.eiro.eurofound.eu.int/2006/11/articles/pt0611029i.html |