The Prime Minister stated this Wednesday, November 26, that there was a “positive, frontal, dialoguing and constructive spirit” in the meeting with the UGT, but without answering whether he considers it possible to avoid the general strike.
“The topic wasn’t even approached from that angle, from that perspective”said Luís Montenegro, when asked by journalists about this afternoon’s meeting with UGT, after the CAP congress, an initiative in which he participated shortly after meeting in São Bento with the trade union central.
Asked whether his presence was essential to reduce the tension in the negotiations between the Government and UGT on changes to the labor law, the prime minister said he had only responded to the union central’s request.
“UGT requested a meeting with me and I, naturally, scheduled it. The meeting was requested, the meeting was held and it was very important”these.
When asked whether there was a positive and forward spirit at the meeting – as he had stated moments before to be that of another social partner, the Confederation of Farmers of Portugal (CAP) – Montenegro responded affirmatively.