Lisbon's Waste Collection Workers Strike: What You Need to Know About the Holiday Disruption

Overview of the Strike

Lisbon's urban sanitation workers are set to strike on December 26 and 27 following a protest against the city council's handling of their working conditions. Carlos Moedas, the Mayor of Lisbon, has warned that the strike will lead to a chaotic situation in the city, as residents produce 900 tons of waste daily.

Reasons Behind the Strike

The strike is organized by the Union of Municipality Workers of Lisbon (STML), who argue that they have repeatedly raised issues regarding their working conditions without receiving adequate responses from the city administration. Key demands include:

• Implementation of a June 2023 agreement that promised improved working conditions.
• Recognition of their profession as one with rapid wear and tear.
• Increase in the hazard pay for their work.

Details of the Strike

• December 25: Strike during overtime hours only.
• In 2025, workers plan to strike overnight from January 1 to January 2.
• Union representative Luís Dias emphasized that the timing of the strike aims to draw attention to the workers' visibility and demands.

Negotiation Efforts

The STML and the city administration have met for negotiations, but no agreement has been reached. Moedas expressed frustration, stating that he has made efforts to negotiate and improve conditions but accused the union of being uncooperative.

Political Motivations?

The Mayor has suggested that the timing of the strike may have political motivations, hinting at potential connections to the upcoming 2025 municipal elections. Union leaders countered that the issues at hand are longstanding and not recent fabrications.

City’s Response

In response to the impending strike, Moedas announced plans for a crisis management team and additional waste containers to help manage the waste during the strike period. The city has also requisitioned minimum services to ensure that two-thirds of the sanitation workers will still be operational during the strike.

Opposition Reaction

Opposition parties have criticized Moedas for poor management of urban sanitation, with various leaders calling for a more credible commitment to addressing the workers' grievances. They argue that the responsibility lies squarely with the Mayor to resolve these ongoing issues.

Future Outlook

Union leaders have warned that if issues remain unresolved, more strikes are likely in 2025.