Portugal: new leader for the General Workers’ Union (UGT) and maybe a tougher stance

The General Workers’ Union (UGT), the second largest union federation in Portugal, has chosen a new general secretary.  Carlos Silva, 51, a banking executive, wants to revive debates on collective agreements and the increase in minimum wage.  He is coming after João Proença, who ran the organization for 18 years, believing in compromise and bargaining.  His successor announced a harder course in a difficult economic and social context.  (Ref.  130269)
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The UGT has a new leader: Carlos Silva, executive at the Banco Esperito Santos (BES). 89% of the union representatives gathered at the conference elected him general secretary. Silva, 51, is the leader of the South and Islander Bankers’ Union. This man, with a European degree, is known for compromising and dialogue without forgetting about his ideas and principles.

Continuity and break. In his first speech to the UGT’s conventioneers, Silva clearly stood next to the affiliates. “If we...

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