The Representative Commission of Workers at the United States Forces Stationed in the Azores, led by Paula Terra, is highlighting a “serious labor situation characterized by a lack of salary increases, a halt in labor commission activities, and uncertainty over the future of temporary workers.”
In a press release, the Representative Commission considers this situation as “endangering the proper functioning of the base and bilateral relations.”
Portugal and the United States have a bilateral defense and cooperation agreement that allows Americans to use military facilities at Lajes Base, where Portuguese civilian personnel are employed.
“As representatives of the workers, we publicly express our deep concern over the absence of meetings of the Labor Commission and the Bilateral Commission, foreseen under the Lajes Base Agreement, which are fundamentally responsible for resolving labor and diplomatic matters between Portugal and the United States of America,” the workers’ representatives state.
The workers’ representatives indicate that a labor commission meeting was “scheduled but not held on September 29, 2025,” where the “lack of salary updates for workers” was one of the topics.
According to the Representative Commission, “for the first time in several years, the more than 420 permanent workers received no raises,” which “in light of inflation and the general increase in the cost of living, represents a real loss in purchasing power.”
The increase “does not entail any cost to the Portuguese government since it is entirely covered by the American side,” according to the workers, who point to “growing discontent and insecurity.”
The situation of temporary employees “remains equally concerning,” as throughout 2025, “several contracts were not renewed and the remaining employees with terms until May 2026 have already received formal notification of contract termination, with no prospect of continuity.”
The workers appeal for the “immediate resumption of meetings of the Labor Commission and the Bilateral Commission to ensure respect for workers’ rights and the restoration of a climate of trust and labor stability at Lajes Base.”
