Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/649/10712
From The Socialist newspaper, 1 December 2010
Portugal: 'Biggest strike action ever'
OVER THREE million workers downed tools in Portugal on 24 November, as a massive general strike brought the country to a halt. It is already being termed as the country's 'biggest strike action ever'.
Cedric Gerome, Committee for a Workers' International (CWI)
After months of growing resistance, strike actions and massive demonstrations during the year, this general strike is a major turning point.
Potentially it could begin a new stage in the raging class battle of the Portuguese working class against the market-dictated policies of the massively rejected 'Socialist Party' (PS) minority government.
The freezing of the pensions, raising of VAT and various taxes, 5% cut in public sector wages, further attacks on welfare benefits, cuts of 15% in operational costs of public hospitals, and new road tolls, are among some of the new measures planned for the 2011 austerity budget, which was approved by parliament.
For several months Socialismo Revolucionário, the CWI's group in Portugal, has demanded that the left and the trade unions take bolder initiatives in order to unite the workers' struggles into a 24-hour general strike, as a first step in the building of a massive fight back.
After the European day of action on 29 September, and under increasing pressure from below, the decision to organise a general strike was eventually announced by the CGTP, Portugal's largest trade union. On 6 November, as a sort of 'aperitif' to the general strike, 100,000 public servants demonstrated on the streets of Lisbon, the capital city, against the budget.
Socialismo Revolucionario thinks that the general strike announced in Greece for 15 December represents the perfect occasion to build upon the success of 24 November and to concretise a sentiment which is shared by an increasing number of workers in Portugal: the necessity for coordinated strike action on an international level.
For a full report on the general strike and a strategy for the left, see http://www.socialistworld.net/doc/4689
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In The Socialist 1 December 2010:
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Young people lead fight against cuts
We can win: student struggle must escalate
Socialist Party editorial
Unity - but not unity of the graveyard
How can an anti-cuts movement be built? Coalition of Resistance conference report
Anti-cuts campaign
Riot police called to Lewisham town hall lobby
Irish working class in huge show of defiance
Fight against cuts continues to grow
Coventry council - stop job cuts
NHS walk-in centre saved, but campaign continues
Anti-racism
Nuneaton protest against racist EDL
The Socialist Interview
Len McCluskey speaks to The Socialist: Building workers' confidence
Socialist Party workplace news
PCS: Vote 'yes' for action against cuts
London Underground strike most solid so far
Wales TUC leadership tries to stifle action to stop the cuts
International socialist news and analysis
North Korean artillery attack raises tensions
Portugal: 'Biggest strike action ever'
Climate change
Climate change: Socialist planning needed to avert a global catastrophe
Readers' comments
Our health - A market for big business
Bankers: The new untouchables?
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