Summary:
ANA Aeroportos warns of potential flight cancellations due to a Menzies workers' strike this weekend.
Strike spans midnight Saturday to midnight Sunday at major airports including Lisbon and Porto.
Workers protest against low salaries, temporary labor, and excessive overtime.
Menzies claims allegations of low pay are unfounded and unjust.
Minimum service requirements have been established to ensure safety during the strike.
Potential Flight Disruptions at Portuguese Airports
The ANA Aeroportos has issued a warning regarding possible disruptions at national airports due to a two-day strike by workers from the handling company Menzies (formerly Groundforce). This strike is scheduled to take place from midnight Saturday to midnight Sunday across major airports including Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Madeira, and Porto Santo.
What to Expect
In a statement, ANA cautioned that this situation could lead to flight cancellations by airlines serviced by Menzies. They urge all passengers with flights on these dates to check with their respective airlines for updates and potential issues before heading to the airports.
Reasons Behind the Strike
The strike has been initiated in protest against:
- Base salaries below the national minimum wage
- Systematic use of temporary workers
- Excessive overtime that violates legal limits
The Transport Workers Union of Portugal (Sttamp) has highlighted concerns over frequent schedule changes outside the company agreement and the handling of voluntary exit programs, which are seen as threats of collective dismissal.
Menzies' Response
In response, Menzies Aviation Portugal has labeled these claims as unfounded and unjust, disputing the allegations of low salaries. They expressed regret that a strike was called based on what they describe as distorted and false claims that do not accurately reflect the reality of the recently signed company agreement.
Minimum Services Decreed
The Arbitration Court has established minimum service requirements for the strike, which include:
- All flights critical for safety, including ambulance flights and emergency situations.
- Military and state flights, as well as flights already in progress at the strike's onset.
- Ensuring first landings and takeoffs for routes between the mainland and the Azores and Madeira.
Summary of Actions
Passengers are advised to stay informed about their flight status and prepare for possible disruptions this weekend as the situation develops.
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