But “admit they could prolong strike action until April”
The Syndicate of Judicial Staff has given a month’s notice of strike action, between February 15 and March 15, “but admits to extending the strike to April if the Ministry of Justice does not meet its demands”, writes Lusa today.
Speaking to the State news agency, syndicate president António Marçal said the strike will “have quite a big impact on the lives of citizens.”
He anticipates a “different kind of strike” with “very large adherence”, which will affect trial proceedings, in addition to the services of the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP), the registration of accounting acts and the practice of acts related to criminal records requests.
“It’s going to have quite a big impact on the lives of citizens, because this is a demonstration that the justice machine doesn’t work without judicial officers. We are the oil that makes the engine work as it should,” he said.
Among main demands are the filling of vacancies in the career of justice officials, the opening of procedures for access to all career categories, integration of the procedural recovery supplement within salaries, a special retirement scheme and access to pre-retirement, as well as revision of the court workers’ statute.
“This first notice lasts for one month and then, if nothing is done by the Ministry of Justice and the Government, a new notice will follow”, António Marçal warned
Minimum services are foreseen in “proceedings/ hearings of discussion and trial in all organic units” when rights and interests protected by the Constitution are at stake, in procedural acts essential to guarantee freedom, the adoption of acts where delay could harm children or young people, and in urgent cases under the Mental Health Act.
Source: LUSA
