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Airport workers across Portugal could strike this month

Aug. 04, 2022
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3 min read
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Airport workers across Portugal could strike this month
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Tens of thousands of travelers to Portugal could face chaos and cancellations this month after workers at 10 of the country’s airports threatened to strike.

Ground handlers, cabin crew, security staff and fire services are among the employees who could walk out from Aug.19 to Aug. 21 if their demands for higher wages aren’t met, unions said.

The strike threat by Portugal’s Civil Aviation Workers’ Union and the Commercial Aviation Staff Union is the latest in a series of walkouts at a time when Europe’s transportation sector continues to wobble under the surge in post-pandemic traveler numbers.

The unions claim that Portugal’s airport authority, ANA, and its French parent company, Vinci, have made millions since travel resumed last year, but continue to underpay their staff.

The unions have also demanded that ANA and Vinci adopt “urgent” measures to guarantee workers feel safe in their jobs, including wage increases and pension boosts.

“Only by doing this (strike) we will be able to achieve what the company has been lacking for a long time: social stability, respect for workers’ rights and, fundamentally, for people,” the unions said in a statement.

Related: Lufthansa pilots vote for potential strike action

ANA is responsible for managing 10 airports in Portugal which include:

  • Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) in Lisbon.
  • Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) in Porto.
  • Faro Airport (FAO).
  • Beja Airport (BYJ).
  • Ponta Delgada Airport João Paulo II (PDL).
  • Horta Airport (HOR).
  • Santa Maria Airport (SMA).
  • Aeroporto das Flores (FLW).
  • Madeira Airport (FNC).
  • Porto Santo Airport (PXO).
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According to its website, the company handles a series of tasks within those airports, including operational management, ground handling, airport operations, rescue operations, safety and security roles. This is in addition to “planning, researching, developing and monitoring systems, equipment and facilities that collectively make up each airport and the company infrastructure.”

In a statement, ANA said it regretted the unions’ decision to strike, saying it had reviewed salaries in April and given bonuses to workers.

Related: Summer of strikes? European labor action already disrupting travel

“ANA will continue to promote dialogue with social partners and will continue the ongoing negotiation,” ANA said.

Vinci did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the strike threat.

This is the latest in a wave of strike actions sweeping across Europe as the aviation industry grapples with widespread worker unrest over post-pandemic pay and conditions.

Just this week, pilots at Lufthansa threatened to walk out in a dispute over pay. Air traffic controllers in Spain also warned in early July they were likely to call a strike if state-owned air navigation company Enaire failed to hire more staff for the peak summer season.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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