CGTP admits to summon new general strike, but not “in a hasty way”

A CGTP admits to convening a new general strike against the increase in the cost of living and in defense of wages, pensions, education, social protection and housing, but stresses that the decision should not be taken “in a hasty manner”.

Asked by the agency Lusa about accepting the challenge posed by the promoters of the housing camp in Lisbon and Porto, who called on the union centers to convene an “Iberian general strike” on November 11, CGTP states that “it does not exclude any form of struggle, including the general strike”.

However, note, “all actions, and this in particular, must be considered according to the concrete conditions and the appropriate time for their realization”.

“ The marking of a general strike is a moment of great importance, as occurred in the general strikes we carried out for the defeat of the labor package, and should not be decided in a hasty way ", he says, emphasizing: “It must be decided taking into account the objectives and conditions created for its success.”.

In this regard, the central notes that, “in the last month, important struggles have been developed by workers from various sectors, from hospitality to teachers, to public administration (with the national strike of general careers and an important demonstration in Lisbon), to the transport sector (notably with the strike of the Metropolitan of Lisbon last Wednesday), together with actions in defense of the SNS [National Health Service] and the right to housing, in a movement of struggle that had convergent expression in the national demonstration of 17 October”.

Ensuring that “this fight will intensify”, CGTP points out as examples the already announced plenary of the unions of the Common Front, next Tuesday, and concentration in the Assembly of the Republic on November 24.

“ And we are already preparing other actions whose forms of struggle take on the most diverse expressions ", adds.

Questioned about whether inorganic movements such as housing camp can affect the work of trade unions, the trade union central says defend “the convergence and extension of action to all workers and the general population”.

“The situation and problems of workers, pensioners, youth, the people, require concrete responses from the government and not measures that lead to their worsening or repressive actions in the face of initiatives of claim and protest,” he says.

The Lusa agency also questioned the UGT about eventual accession to an “Iberian general strike” on November 11, still awaiting an answer.