According to the president of the National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (SNPVAC), which called for the strike involving approximately 60 Sata Air Açores workers responsible for inter-island connections in the Azores, the negotiated agreement and proposal presented fall “short of expectations,” failing to “bridge the longstanding gap with other professional classes.”
“The company, over the years, has undervalued Sata Air Açores crew members,” he lamented, emphasizing that these workers “demand the same conditions as other employees in the group.”
The union leader cited working conditions on Dash 200 aircraft as another reason for the strike, mentioning that these planes are “very old and have caused numerous problems for the company and in the day-to-day work.”
“The working conditions [on the Dash 200] are terrible, not only in terms of noise but also due to the unbearable heat inside the aircraft,” he stated, noting that “the company is slow in finding alternative solutions and equipment to provide better conditions to mitigate” the onboard situation.
Ricardo Penarróias pointed out that a request has already been made to the company for a “more appropriate management” of the Dash 200, alongside “shorter flight times and, above all, better working conditions.”
“In this particular aspect, the company could easily manage and be proactive,” the union leader emphasized.
Contacted by Lusa, a spokesperson for the SATA group confirmed the receipt of the strike pre-notice, but refrained from commenting on the company’s willingness to negotiate with the union.
