Portugal's CGTP trade union confederation held its ninth congress in December 1999. The congress heralded change, in terms of both the issues it dealt with and the organisational changes agreed.
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Portugal's CGTP trade union confederation held its ninth congress in December 1999. The congress heralded change, in terms of both the issues it dealt with and the organisational changes agreed.
The General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses, CGTP) held its ninth congress on 10-11 December 1999. The stated aim of the congress was to redefine trade unionism for the 21st century, and to consolidate the idea of trade unionism as an "indispensable social movement" in modern society. The congress brought together more than 900 delegates and about 100 invited guests from national, international and foreign organisations.
A number of significant organisational changes were proposed and accepted at the conference, including the following:
the number of seats on the CGTP national council was increased from 119 to 135. This has opened the council up to younger members - 13 of the new members are under 30 years of age - and increased the number of women representatives - around 30% of the council members are now women;
federations of civil service professional groups, such as teachers and doctors, gained seats on the council. The council seats are now distributed as follow - 41.1% blue-collar workers, 34.1% white-collar workers and 21.5% skilled technicians and professionals; and
the position of "general coordinator" was renamed general secretary. This was not because the role has been become more personalised or autonomous, it is argued, but simply because the new designation is more commonly used. Manuel Carvalho da Silva, general coordinator for the past 14 years, was re-elected as general secretary for four years.
The underlying theme of the congress was Giving greater value to work. More dignity for workers (Valorizar o trabalho. Dignificar os trabalhadores). This theme is directly linked to labour rights, security and stability, and is considered by CGTP as a decisive factor in influencing the Portuguese model of economic development and in reinforcing the democratic dimension of Portuguese society. In earlier interviews, Mr Carvalho da Silva reasserted the importance of the following principles:
work is at the core of Portuguese society, and as such workers should be recognised for the assets they contribute, and are thus worthy of more than "minimal" social rights;
regular paid work should be the predominant form of employment. CGTP rejects a diversification of employment statuses and rights;
social integration and stability should be within reach of all citizens, with the guarantees and rights inherent therein; and
solidarity must be strengthened.
During the congress, special attention was focused on:
the need to take a close look at levels of collective bargaining, concertation and dialogue, and the interrelationships among them; and
placing a new emphasis on collective bargaining. Its importance should reinforced and put into everyday practice by union representatives, especially in tackling four fundamental issues - labour rights, significant improvements in wages, recognition of qualifications and skills, and creation of a new system of occupational classification.
According to the general coordinator, the fact that a number of new organisations, such as doctors, teachers and other professional associations, have gained seats on CGTP's governing bodies will have an effect on how the structure of the union movement evolves. Professional organisations in the healthcare sector and the tax administration sector are committed to launching a framework for trade union discussions on the healthcare and tax systems. The whole of society should be involved, the unions feel, so as to avoid "corporatist" tendencies and permit more open social discussion.
CGTP urges Portuguese workers to mobilise in order to transform society and to unionise. It has set a goal of increasing union membership by more than 50,000 over the next four years. CGTP also reaffirms its intention to participate in European initiatives and actions, supporting the European Trade Union Confederation's slogan of More and better employment (EU9907182F). It also gave its support to the World March of Women initiative, which is being held in 2000.
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Eurofound (1999), CGTP holds ninth Congress, article.
