The management of SPAC expressed “deep concern” in a statement released at the end of November over approximately 100 measures included in the governmental proposal, which are seen as representing “an unprecedented setback in labor rights since the ‘troika’ period.”
SPAC president Hélder Santinhos emphasized, “This is not a partisan or corporatist issue, but rather a defense of workers’ fundamental rights.”
The leader pointed out that “among the critical points of this draft are the automatic expiration of Company Agreements, the facilitation of dismissals with less protection for reinstatement, the broad application of precarious contracts to large companies, and the reduction of unions’ negotiating power.”
SPAC believes that “although pilots are recognized as professionals with particular labor characteristics,” they must assume “a responsibility of active solidarity.”
Hélder Santinhos warned, “European experience demonstrates that labor deregulation, starting in more vulnerable sectors, ultimately reaches all professions. When the structure of labor law is weakened, no level remains immune!”
The general strike set for December 11 has already been approved by the cabin crew represented by the SNPVAC (National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel).
Meanwhile, airlines TAP and Sata, along with SPdH, an airport ground handling company, have agreed on minimum service arrangements with various unions for the general strike, according to documents published by DGERT (Directorate-General for Employment and Labor Relations).
Although SPAC “did not participate in these meetings due to internal organization and statutory reasons,” it assured that it “will comply with the minimum services that will be set,” emphasizing that the absence of the union from these meetings “should not be interpreted as a refusal of principle or any disrespect towards the other unions that, within their capabilities, reached an agreement with the companies.”
The agreements established thus far dictate that TAP will operate three round-trip flights to the Azores and two to Madeira, and one round-trip flight to the following countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, France, Cape Verde, and Guinea-Bissau. The arrangements also include three round-trip flights to Brazil and two to the United States.
In the case of Sata Internacional, nine flights have been agreed upon, covering connections between the mainland and the Autonomous Regions and internal island links.
As for the handling company SPdH, which proposed assisting 30% of the flights for its client airlines to the unions, it will handle the flights included in the minimum services of TAP and Sata, plus one round-trip flight to Germany, operated by Lufthansa. It also assures assistance for return-to-base flights whose departure occurred before the strike began.
The general strike on December 11, called by CGTP and UGT, is a protest against the proposed revision of the Labor Code and will be the first joint stoppage of the two union centers since June 2013, a time when Portugal was under troika intervention.
