Portugal is preparing for significant travel disruption as numerous flights are expected to be cancelled.
Employees at SPdH (Groundforce), a large ground handling company, have announced a strike for August 31 and September 1.
The strike, organised by the Portuguese Transport Workers’ Union (STTAMP), is expected to lead to “severe restrictions” at airports across the country, particularly in Porto and Lisbon.
The strike is a response to a number of grievances, including low wages, the use of temporary workers, excessive overtime and frequent changes in working hours.
The union said many Groundforce workers were earning less than the legal minimum wage and protested against the way the company’s voluntary redundancy programme was being managed, which they said was being carried out under the threat of mass redundancies.
STTAMP has warned that the strike is likely to result in “numerous flight cancellations” and delays on airlines served by SPdH, including TAP Air Portugal.
The union advised passengers on scheduled flights during the strike period to coordinate their travel plans with their airline in advance.
The union’s statement expressed disappointment that no negotiations had taken place to prevent the strike, and said that if the strike continued, the impact on the country’s airports would be unpredictable.
“Regardless of the reasons or causes that weaken the company, it is always the employees who pay the bill,” explained Sttamp.
Despite the planned strike, the union assured that essential services, including security and maintenance of equipment and facilities, would be maintained.
However, it is expected that there will be significant disruptions to regular operations.
Groundforce, which handles ground services at Portuguese airports, has been struggling with financial difficulties for several years.
In 2021, TAP filed for bankruptcy, with debts amounting to 136.2 million euros.
Recently, in June 2023, Menzies Aviation completed the acquisition of a 50.1 percent stake in Groundforce, with planned initial investment of €12.5 million.
