In comments to Lusa News Agency, Jorge Alves, the president of national prison guards union the SNCGP, said that its members in six main prisons would be striking from 24 to 27 December, and those in the remaining prisons would be striking on 24, 25 and 27.
“The first period will be in six establishments - Lisbon, Porto, Paços de Ferreira, Coimbra, Castelo Branco and Funchal, in Madeira - in which the Directorate-General of Prison Services has decided to implement the new work hours”, Alves said.
In addition, he explained, there is to be a fresh strike in the six afore-mentioned prisons from 31 December to 1 January, with guards in the others striking from 31 December to 2 January.
Separately, another union has scheduled a strike for the 23 through 26 December and 31 December through 2 January.
According to Alves, the action is likely to put security at risk, but Christmas visits would not be affected.
As for the skeleton service that unions are obliged to assure, Alves said that food, mediation and trips to hospitals and courts will all be covered.