Brits warned of ‘multiple flight cancellations’ ahead of airport strikes next week – here are the key dates
BRITS have been warned of “multiple flight cancellations” ahead of airport strikes next week.
The Portuguese Transport Workers’ Union, Sttamp, announced the disruption expected – check the key dates to see if you’ll be effected.
The Groundforce workers’ strike is scheduled for August 31 and September 1 and will cause “severe constraints” at airports.
Sttamp said: “As there has been no negotiation development to date that would allow the strike to be called off, if it were to take place it would certainly cause severe constraints at national airports.”
It added that particularly Porto and Lisbon will be the worst impacted and the effects of the strike are “currently completely unpredictable”.
EasyJet, TAP Air Portugal, British Airways, Ryanair, Wizz Air UK, Azores Airlines S.A and Vueling Airlines could all be impacted by the strike as they all take passengers to the Portuguese national airports.
The union guaranteed that there would be delays and “numerous flight cancellations” to all destinations operated by airlines assisted by SPdH – Portuguese Handling Services, such as TAP.
Sttamp advised passengers with trips scheduled for the days of the strike confirm their travel with the airline they are set to fly with.
Workers at the handling company SPdH have called the strike to demand higher wages according to a notice issued last week.
The Sttamp gave a strike notice, which covers all national airports, that read: “from 00:00 hours on August 31, 2024, until midnight on September 1, 2024”.
The strike was called against “the existence of base salaries below the national minimum wage”.
There will also be protests against “the systematic use of workers from temporary employment agencies” and “overtime in breach of the legal limits in force”.
Sttamp justified the disruption by saying that “once again, regardless of the reason or origin that weakens the company”, it will always be “the workers who foot the bill“.
According to the notice, “the workers will ensure the services necessary for the safety and maintenance of equipment and facilities”.
They will also make sure “the provision of the minimum services essential to meeting essential social needs” will be carried out.
It comes as staff at London City Airport are threatening to walk out – for the first time ever.
Ground handling staff face going on strike at the UK airport over a dispute in regards to pay.
The 120 Gatwick Ground Services (GSS) staff members, represented by the GMB union, are not directly employed by the airport.
However, they are demanding a 17 per cent pay increase, who claim current pay falling below the London Living Wage.
If the strike goes ahead, it will be the first of its kind for the airport.
Portugal airport strikes
Airports most badly affected by the strikes:
- Porto
- Lisbon
Dates of the strikes:
- August 31
- September 1
Airlines likely to be affected:
- EasyJet
- British Airways
- TAP Air Portugal
- Ryanair
- Vueling Airlines
- Wizz Air UK
- Azores Airlines S.A