The union warned that the two-day strike would cause “major disruption” at all Portuguese airports.
with Portuguese transport workers' union Sttamp expects “major disruption”. For all Portuguese airports due to strike action scheduled for August 31 and September 1, Menzies Aviation Portugal, the new owner of handling company Groundforce, has drawn up a contingency plan that they believe will minimise chaos.
Former Groundforce Manager since June this year, Menzies Aviation also Sttamp was accused of calling for a strike without first trying to engage in dialogue.
“We want to assure our customers and passengers that Robust contingency plans have already been put in place. To make sure this is possible Disturbances are reduced »Roy Gomez, the company's vice president, said in a written response released yesterday.
” we Deeply disappointed by the decision of some of our unions He added: “The strike immediately without first seeking dialogue with us to find a common solution and resolve this problem.”
On August 14, Sttamp issued a strike notice covering all domestic airports from August 31, 2024 at 00:00 to September 1, 2024 at 24:00.
The union warned earlier this week of “ Serious restrictions at national airports, Especially Porto and Lisbon, which have their effects. completely unpredictable at that time.”
The union told Lusa that so far “there has been no development in the negotiations that would allow the strike to be called off.”
Menzies, meanwhile, is Uneasy about the intention to renegotiate recently signed enterprise agreements, Writes the Economic Cooperation Organization online.
“About three months ago, when Menzies Aviation acquired Groundforce Portugal, we agreed a recovery plan for the company, accepted by 98% of our creditors and the majority of employees.”
“As part of this commitment, all unions have signed the new enterprise agreement, which includes wage terms above the national guaranteed minimum wage. Unfortunately, Some unions Which represents only a part of our workforce in Portugal now. They want to renegotiate the agreed terms. “Less than three months ago,” Roy Gomez explained.
“In addition to a significant modification of the obligations under the applicable company agreement, this situation Very noisy during high aviation activity in Portugal. “This may delay the recovery plan we have implemented,” he added.
Stamp justifies the call for strike by “basic salaries below the national minimum wage (…) the systematic use of temporary workers (…) overtime that does not comply with the applicable legal limits (…) and successive changes to timetables outside the terms of the company agreement.”
Menzies Aviation completed the acquisition of a 50.1% stake in Groundforce Portugal in June. The remaining 49.9% is owned by TAP (the Portuguese state).
Sources: LUSA/ECO online
