“The 48-hour strike is the sole responsibility of the company’s management, which insists on ignoring the workers’ demands for better wages and working conditions, professional dignity, respect for collective bargaining, and an end to job insecurity”, indicated the National Union of Local and Regional Government Workers (STAL).

The union leader stressed that the workers will comply with the minimum services, but said she believes that the fight will be strong.

“It may not have as much effect as would be desirable, but the overwhelming majority of the workers will be on strike”.

ERSUC employs around 420 workers, operating from centres in Coimbra and Aveiro, and serving around one million inhabitants in those two districts and part of the district of Leiria.