Travel Chaos Expected at Portuguese Airports This New Year
Portuguese airports are bracing for significant disruptions over the New Year as ground handling workers plan to strike. Set for December 31 and January 1, this action has the potential to affect numerous flights, although the government has stepped in to ensure that essential services remain operational.
Details of the Strike
The workers from SPdH/Menzies, previously known as Groundforce, have organized this strike to express their concerns regarding job security. A recent ruling from Portugal’s arbitration court mandates that minimum essential services must be upheld during the strike. This means that crucial operations such as state, military, emergency, humanitarian, and rescue flights will not be disrupted. Additionally, **at least one flight connection** to Portugal’s autonomous regions is required to continue, along with other operations deemed essential by applicable labor laws.
Reasons Behind the Workers’ Strike
The Aviation and Airport Workers’ Union (Sitava) and the Handling, Aviation and Airport Workers’ Union (STHAA) are leading this strike. They allege that ongoing uncertainties regarding the future of employment stem from the recent tender process for ground handling licenses. According to a preliminary report from the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC), the Clece/South consortium is currently in the lead for this tender.
While the government has extended existing licenses until May 2026, there are demands for explicit written assurances that jobs will be preserved. Out of approximately 3,700 workers at SPdH/Menzies, nearly 2,000 individuals are believed to be directly impacted by the upcoming tender process.
Conclusion
As the New Year approaches, the planned strike by ground handling workers at Portuguese airports presents an unsettling scenario for travelers. While essential services will be guaranteed by a court ruling, the broader implications for job security in the industry remain a pressing concern for the affected workers.
- Strikes are set for December 31 and January 1 at Portuguese airports.
- Essential flight operations will remain unaffected during the strike.
- Unions are concerned about job security due to ongoing tender processes.
- Approximately 2,000 workers are at risk from the upcoming changes.