Nothing moves me against yesterday’s general strike, which, contrary to what the trade unions say, will not have completely paralyzed – not even close to that – the country, but will also not have had an “insignificant response”, as the Government suggested. Just as in wars, as Aeschylus summarized, in strikes the first victim is the truth. Throwing numbers is, in fact, one of the most futile exercises that anyone can undertake on these occasions. It serves to galvanize supporters and avoid deeper discussions about our job market.
In this regard, among the mosaic of labor realities that the country is made up of, the news that Autoeuropa and the companies supplying parts from the Palmela Industrial Park were forced to completely interrupt production stood out.
With significant proportions of participation in the strike – in some factories exceeding 90% in the first two shifts of the day – the protest had the effect intended by the unions and workers’ committees, but will it have safeguarded the interests of those who want to protect their jobs and improve their income in the medium and long term? Maybe not.
Autoeuropa, like several companies in the Palmela Industrial Park, pays above the country’s average salary. Likewise, career progression is faster than in most similar companies. The bonus package for 2025 and 2026 is also quite generous, as stated in the agreement signed between Volkswagen management and the Works Committee, and the company provides “free” transportation and meals to its employees.
Furthermore, following a negotiation that dates back to Vieira da Silva’s time as Minister of Labor and Social Security, workers have daycare centers (supported by the State) for their children, including on Saturdays and holidays, an unusual benefit for the typical Portuguese worker.
In view of all this, and in the face of the “Government’s offensive on labor rights” – Daniel Bernardino, coordinator of the Industrial Park Workers’ Committees and, it should not be forgotten, candidate for deputy for BE –, there was a rebuttal and an abrupt interruption of the assembly lines (with enormous damage to some manufacturing units). As there are few days of production available until the end of the year, it will be necessary for these companies to compensate for the stoppage with work on Saturdays and/or Sundays, with the corresponding additional charge and, let’s not exclude, impacts on prices in the future.
Autoeuropa was chosen to manufacture Volkswagen’s new electric car, the ID.1, and has planned investments of hundreds of millions of euros to decarbonize production. None of this is compatible with a climate of tension fueled by – and fed upon – unions and workers’ committees that use workers as pawns.
No one should have any illusions: in an increasingly global world, in which countries compete for specialization, but also for cost, recent class struggles have everything to go wrong. And ensure that the indignant people of today and tomorrow in Palmela – against this or any other labor change – will be knocking on the door of a factory in some other geography in a few years.
Communication consultant