Lisbon firefighters will begin a a month-long strike from 1st to 31st October, for better conditions, demanding a review of the Staff Statute for Professional Firefighters in Local Administration, namely a review of the pay scale.
A source from the Lisbon Municipal Workers' Union (STML) told Lusa that the strike will start on Tuesday and will last until October 31, and also admitted the possibility of it being extended into November if the Government does not respond satisfactorily to the firefighters' demands.
According to the union, the strike was initially scheduled from October 1 to 13, but it was decided to extend the strike until the 31st after a meeting on Friday, in which no document was presented by the Secretaries of State for Civil Protection and Local Administration and Territorial Planning present to begin negotiations to review the professional status of Firefighters.
The strike is being triggered, as António Pascoal, from STML, explained to Lusa, by the "review of the Staff Statute for Professional Firefighters in Local Administration, namely the review of the pay scale, which ensures that the base pay is not lower than the Guaranteed Minimum Monthly Remuneration and fair and adequate career progression and promotion".
We have a statute that has not been revised for 22 years. In terms of pay, firefighters earn much less than the national minimum wage. At the moment, (...) we are talking about a base salary of 722 euros for a firefighter at the beginning of his career", said António Pascoal.
According to the union leader, the salary that firefighters receive "is illegal, unconstitutional, as no one can earn less than the Guaranteed Minimum Monthly Remuneration".
The sappers are also asking for the current pay scale to be corrected by more than 52 euros, for a risk supplement to be granted and for the Permanent Availability Supplement to be updated.
The Lisbon Firefighters will also participate in the national demonstration called by the National Association of Professional Firefighters (ANBP) and the National Union of Professional Firefighters (SNBP).
The demonstration, scheduled for the day of the delivery of the State Budget to the Assembly of the Republic, includes a march of professional firefighters between the Ministry of Internal Administration (MAI) and parliament.
