Portugal’s major cities came to a halt yesterday as unions began a 24-hour strike against austerity measures agreed by the government in return for an international bailout in other words a similar story as what has happened in Greece.
Garbage went uncollected, ports closed, trains stood still, public transportation was disrupted and other public services were affected by the country’s second general strike in four months, this compares to the 7 general strikes in Greece and 3 in Spain for the same period.
The majority of ports, including the port of Lisbon and Viana do Castelo in the north, were closed, according to the country’s biggest union -- the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (CGTP) -- which called the strike. About two dozen ships were forced to change their routes to go to other ports because of the action, it added.
There is growing coordination between the major trade unions in Greece, Portugal and Spain with the aim of resisting the austerity measures imposed on the people by the EU there is a better chance of winning if these countries stand together. I think similar approaches are being made by the Italian TUs who are now eager to join in.
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