Workers at SPdH/Menzies (formerly Groundforce), a key service provider for ground handling at Portuguese airports, have initiated the first of five planned four-day strikes this weekend, with more to follow until early September.
Strike Details
The strikes, called by the Metal and Related Industries Union (SIMA) and the Transport Union (ST), started at 00:00 today and will continue until 24:00 on Monday. This pattern will repeat over four weekends in August, with the next strike scheduled from 00:00 on August 8 to 24:00 on August 11. Additional strikes are planned for August 15-18, August 22-25, and August 29 to September 1.
Workers' Demands
At the heart of the dispute are demands for:
- An end to base salaries below the national minimum wage
- Better wages
- Payment for night shifts
- Maintained access to parking facilities under previous terms
Minimum Services Guaranteed
The Arbitration Court has mandated minimum services to ensure safety and essential operations, covering:
- All flights deemed critical for safety
- Military and state flights
- Flights already in progress at the strike's onset
- TAP flights returning to Lisbon from European layovers
Key routes between Lisbon and the Azores/Madeira, as well as Porto and Madeira/Azores, will also be maintained.
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