In an open letter to Azores Airlines’ cabin crew, the consortium expresses regret that meetings with the National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (SNPVAC) lacked the spirit of effective negotiation, urging responsibility among the workers.
“We address this open letter to the cabin crew. It is your future at stake, and it is crucial that you tell us the path you desire for Azores Airlines. On our side, we remain convinced that only convergence can outline a path leading to the company’s sustainability,” writes the consortium.
Newtour/MS Aviation, which has until November 24 to submit a proposal for the airline, believes the union leaders’ stance was inhibited by ideological assumptions, blocking an agreement, despite employees showing openness to commitment.
The consortium confirms it has presented a “definitive” agreement proposal, which is set to be voted on Friday in the union’s General Assembly.
“We await a position from the cabin crew. Continuing this exercise less than 24 hours before the General Assembly meeting does not help make an informed decision by the members who will vote on the proposal,” they argue.
Newtour/MS Aviation notes that discussions with the Pilots Union (SPAC) were conducted seriously and responsibly, culminating in the approval of the proposal presented by the consortium.
“Let there be no doubt: without convergence, that is, without prior understanding with the workers, Newtour/MS Aviation will not submit any acquisition proposal,” they insist.
According to the consortium, the proposal presented to the cabin crew is “not the same, nor could it be” as the pilots’, since each profession has its “specificities,” but maintains the “same rationale.”
“Since the union has demonstrated a lack of pragmatism, we hope the workers understand that the airline has no margin for solutions disconnected from its real situation. Responsibility demands realism,” they warn.
The consortium describes the “moment as decisive,” as the employees’ stance will be “crucial for whether there will be a new opportunity or not for Azores Airlines.”
On November 9, SPAC revealed that the agreement negotiated between the SPAC leadership and Newtour/MS Aviation was approved with 75% of the votes in the Azores Airlines’ Company Assembly.
The SNPVAC General Assembly is scheduled for Friday, with the only agenda item being the analysis and voting of the agreement proposal between the union and the consortium negotiating the Azorean company.
The privatization of Azores Airlines (part of the SATA Group operating from the Azores to external destinations) is being negotiated with Newtour/MS Aviation, with the Regional Government (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) admitting the possibility of direct negotiation or closing the company if no agreement is reached.
