Casa da Música workers begin three-day strike as union alleges replacement of staff

Strike over pay and career terms

Workers at the Casa da Música foundation in Porto began a three-day strike on Thursday, 12 November, called by the Cena-STE performing arts and musicians union. The union says the foundation's board has not met commitments it made on 7 May 2026 to the union and the workers' commission, which were not reached in negotiations that ran until July 2026. At the centre of the dispute is recognition of seniority for staff covered by the career plan introduced in April, which the workers want to advance by one level a year from January 2027. Workers also want a narrower pay gap between the top and bottom of the scale and fair salaries with dignified careers. Pay for careers I, J and K was changed with increases of 8%, 12.5% and 15%, and career L was eliminated. Workers rejected the new career plan at a plenary meeting in July, describing its terms as far short of their demands.

An earlier strike notice, for 11 to 16 May, was issued when the plan was presented in April. It was called off on 8 May so both sides could renegotiate until the end of July.

Replacement allegations

Union delegate Fernando Pires de Lima told Lusa that at one location on the picket line, technical stage work was being done by other Casa da Música staff whose roles have nothing to do with it. RTP reported that the directorate tried that morning to replace workers who were joining the stoppage. Pires de Lima said police were called to record the incident but declined to act, saying it was outside their remit. A complaint is being filed with the Authority for Working Conditions (ACT).

At a mid-afternoon assessment, Pires de Lima put participation at close to 80%, with the administrative and financial, educational service, executive production and technical departments largely halted. He said:

“It is very clear that people are not satisfied and wanted to take a very strong position.”

RTP's report gave no percentage and said more than half of the workers were taking part.

Party and parliamentary response

The PCP called the replacement of striking workers illegal in a statement and asked the state to intervene in the foundation, which it said is mostly publicly funded. The party's parliamentary group has also questioned the government on the situation. In its statement, the PCP said:

“It is not acceptable that the Government shirks its role, and that of the administrators it appoints, in a foundation whose funding is mostly public.”

Lusa asked the foundation's administration for a response and was still waiting for one when it reported.

Festival programming

The strike coincides with the Floresta Amazónica festival at Casa da Música. Programming changed for Thursday and Friday, with concerts planned for Room 2 moved to the café as a free-entry event. RTP reported that festival events could be rescheduled or cancelled.