Lisbon Waste Workers Strike: A Call for Change Amidst Unanswered Grievances

Lisbon's Urban Hygiene Workers to Strike

The workers of Lisbon's Urban Hygiene will strike on December 26 and 27, and will also refuse to work overtime between Christmas and New Year's Eve, as announced by the Municipal Workers' Union.

According to the union, on New Year's Day, the strike will only affect the night shift, from 10 PM on January 1 to 6 AM on January 2.

The STML justifies the strike due to the “lack of responses from the municipal executive”, led by social-democrat Carlos Moedas, regarding pressing issues in the Urban Hygiene sector. The union emphasizes that the political decisions made have allowed the private sector to take over certain public service functions, which they find unacceptable.

The union accuses the Lisbon City Hall of being incapable of organizing its workforce and of failing to address the real problems faced in urban cleaning. They are demanding adherence to an agreement made in June 2023 concerning various issues, including the need for renovations and the establishment of meal spaces for staff.

Other demands include respect for the right to balance professional and personal life, an end to informal punishments, and a fair distribution of overtime among available workers.

The STML recalls that they submitted a “claim memorandum” to the municipality in May, which included proposals such as updating the hazard pay and recognizing rapidly wearing professions, and they are still awaiting a response.

The union highlights the urgent need for public investment in the sector, noting that 45.2% of essential removal vehicles are non-operational and 22.6% of the workforce is physically diminished or on leave due to work-related accidents.

They state, “Every week, numerous routes are left uncompleted. Are workers to blame for this reality? As the saying goes: ‘you can't make an omelet without breaking eggs’.” The STML warns that the struggle of Urban Hygiene workers may continue beyond this holiday season, stressing that it is solely up to the municipal executive to evaluate options and solutions for the various issues.

On November 27, the president of the STML criticized the municipality's lack of responses and solutions regarding working conditions in several municipal facilities and their calls for revised schedules and salary increases.

In response, the vice president of the City Hall, Filipe Anacoreta Correia (CDS-PP), praised social dialogue and mentioned that many union demands have been addressed over the past three years, including those concerning hazard pay and payments for professional associations.

He acknowledged that while the municipality has an ambitious plan for hiring, there is still much work to be done to improve working conditions and revise schedules.