- Title: PORTUGAL: Firemen kick off Portugal general strike.
- Date: 13th November 2012
- Summary: LISBON, PORTUGAL (NOVEMBER 13, 2012) (REUTERS) FIRE STATION AND A FEW PICKETERS OUTSIDE FIRE TRUCKS PARKED IN STATION FIREMEN UNIFORMS HANGING INSIDE STATION CGTP LABOUT UNION LEADER ARMENIO CARLOS ARRIVING (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) ARMENIO CARLOS, LEADER OF THE CGTP LABOUR UNION, SAYING: "This station is practically at 100 percent (walkout) and this is what I expect and
- Embargoed: 28th November 2012 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Portugal
- Country: Portugal
- Topics: Economy,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA167MQIPGWDKMB51WPQH8AJ4F3
- Story Text: A fire station in Lisbon starts the country's second general strike in a year.
Firemen at a firestation in Lisbon were on Tuesday (November 13) night the first to kick off the general strike in protest against government austerity measures.
Armenio Carlos, leader of the CGTP labour union which called the strike, visited the fire station and expressed his support for the workers there as he criticised the effects of austerity measures implemented by the government of Pedro Passos Coelho as part of the condititions for receiving an EU bailout.
"This station is practically at 100 percent (walkout) and this is what I expect and we have confidence that this is what is going to happen in many places in the country, in the private sector, in public adminsitration. We have started this fight not only for the right of the workers but also for the defense of the rights of egnerations to come, for the rights of our children, we are also fighting for the future of our country," Carlos said outside the fire station.
As picketers waved flags, the fire brigade union representative explained how the cuts had affected the pay of his unit.
"Firemen have had their salaries penalised over the month since the Troika has arrived," Antonio Pascual said.
Coelho blames Lisbon's debt crisis on overspending by previous governments and says its only option now is to keep to budget goals set under last year's 78-billion-euro bailout deal.
Those kicking off the strike on Tuesday night disagreed.
"We have hope that all the workers who adhere to the strike are aware of the problems people face because what they are doing to our country is terrorism and I hope the workers have the awareness and take part in this strike demanding (rights) and in peace," Union member, Antonio Racha said.
Portugal is going through its biggest slump since the 70s and social unrest is growing as people increasingly take to the streets to protest against tax rises, spending cuts and lack of jobs.
The November 14th general strike will be the second general strike staged this year.
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