Portugal is bracing for a day of widespread disruption as its two largest trade union confederations, CGTP and UGT, have called their first joint general strike in 12 years. Scheduled for Thursday, December 11, 2025, the strike marks a dramatic escalation in tensions between organized labor and the center-right government led by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. At the heart of the dispute is a sweeping jobs-market overhaul that the government claims will modernize Portugal’s labor laws and attract much-needed investment, while unions and their supporters warn it will erode vital worker protections.
The planned 24-hour strike is set to touch nearly every corner of Portuguese society. According to CNA, unions are preparing for a nationwide walkout that will disrupt transportation networks, schools, hospitals, and other essential services. The movement is more than a show of force; it’s a direct response to what many workers and union leaders describe as a rollback of hard-won rights and a painful reminder of the austerity era during the so-called Troika years.
"This is an attack on all generations, on all workers, on our economy," said Catarina Martins, a prominent political figure and former leader of the Bloco de Esquerda, during a debate broadcast by RTP on December 10. Her words echoed the sentiment of many who believe the government’s proposals threaten not just current employees but the fabric of Portuguese society itself. António Filipe, the candidate supported by the Communist Party (PCP), agreed, stating, "I hope the Government pays attention to the general strike, draws its conclusions, and withdraws this law." He went further, warning, "No responsible government can remain indifferent to a demonstration of this magnitude."
The reforms at stake are significant. The center-right government argues that greater flexibility in the labor market is necessary for Portugal to remain competitive and attract foreign investment. According to BBC, the government insists that the new package will modernize outdated labor laws and help create jobs. Yet, unions and their allies see danger in these promises. They argue the changes would make it easier for employers to dismiss workers, extend the duration of fixed-term contracts, and dilute protections for mothers and women who suffer miscarriages. These are not minor tweaks, union leaders argue, but fundamental changes to the social contract.
Transport is expected to be one of the hardest-hit sectors. As reported by National World, rail operator CP – Comboios de Portugal has warned of “significant disruptions” across all its services, including the Alfa Pendular, Intercidades, InterRegional, and Regional lines. The company has put in place policies for affected passengers, allowing full refunds or free exchanges for tickets up to 10 days after the strike ends. Friday, December 12, may also see lingering delays and cancellations as the system recovers from the shutdown.
The aviation sector is also feeling the impact. The national carrier, TAP Air Portugal, has already canceled dozens of flights, announcing it will only operate the minimum services required by law. The SNPVAC union, representing over 5,000 crew members from TAP, easyJet, Ryanair, and Azores Airlines, has indicated that maintaining a normal flight schedule will be “very difficult.” In the Azores, SATA and Azores Airlines are limiting themselves to a handful of essential connections, supported by the handling company SPdH. Passengers affected by these cancellations are entitled to refunds, rebooking, and assistance such as meals and accommodation, depending on the length of the delay, under European Regulation 261/2004.
The strike’s roots stretch back to a period many Portuguese remember with little fondness: the Troika intervention that began in 2011, when the European Commission, European Central Bank, and International Monetary Fund imposed strict austerity measures in exchange for a bailout. Many workers see the current reforms as a throwback to those days, when job security and social protections were sacrificed in the name of economic recovery. According to CNA, some employees say the present reforms feel eerily similar to the pressure and uncertainty of that era.
The legislative package that sparked the strike includes provisions to expand the list of services required to operate during strikes, extend the allowable duration of fixed-term contracts, and make layoffs easier for employers. These proposals have drawn fierce criticism from union leaders, who describe the situation as “very serious.” The decision to strike, they say, was not taken lightly but came after negotiations with the government broke down. As one union leader put it, the reforms "will weaken worker protections" and “facilitate layoffs,” putting job security at risk for thousands.
Beyond the immediate labor dispute, the general strike has become a flashpoint in Portugal’s broader political debate. The strike is the first joint action by CGTP and UGT since June 2013, a period also marked by economic crisis and austerity. The timing is significant, coming just weeks before the country’s presidential elections scheduled for January 18, 2026. During the RTP debate, both Catarina Martins and António Filipe criticized President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s constitutional interpretation, particularly his decision to dissolve Parliament when António Costa led the government. Martins remarked, “We truly need a President of the Republic who talks less about political games and more about the country’s needs.”
The labor dispute has also intersected with other political and social issues. Both candidates in the RTP debate expressed support for musicians and performers who have announced they will refuse to represent Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, should they win the RTP Festival da Canção, as a protest against Israel’s participation. Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine revealed divisions: António Filipe cautioned against increased support for Ukraine, advocating instead for European investment in peace, while Catarina Martins defended the tradition of supporting self-determination and criticized peace plans that exclude Ukraine from negotiations.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, for his part, has tried to reassure the public by promising to raise the minimum wage to 1,600 euros. But Martins was quick to dismiss the pledge, saying, “The prime minister is mocking people, and it’s inappropriate.” Filipe echoed her skepticism, noting that the lack of protest from business confederations suggests they do not believe the promise will be kept.
As Portugal prepares for what promises to be a day of disruption and protest, the stakes are high for both the government and organized labor. The outcome could shape not only the future of labor law in Portugal but also the broader political landscape as the country heads into a pivotal election year. For now, all eyes are on Thursday, as workers, commuters, and businesses brace for the impact of a strike that has already made history by uniting the nation’s largest unions after more than a decade apart.
