A formal complaint has been lodged with the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC), addressed to the management of SPdH/Menzies and TAP, S.A., following severe illegalities during the recent workers’ strike, the union announced in a statement.
The SIMA union filed a criminal complaint for violation of the Constitution and the Strike Law, citing the direct replacement of striking workers, unilateral schedule changes, suspension of breaks during extreme heat, and various forms of repression and undue pressure on workers. Another complaint was filed regarding the payment of base salaries below the National Minimum Wage (SMN), described as a serious and unacceptable breach of Portuguese labor law, undermining workers’ dignity and constituting an economic crime.
The complaint to ANAC concerns the assignment of unqualified personnel to technical roles during the strike, endangering operational safety at airports, the union explained.
SIMA accused Menzies of acting with total disregard for the law and workers’ basic rights, and criticized TAP, which owns 49.9% of the former Groundforce, for collaborating with these practices by supplying workers to replace strikers. An urgent meeting with the President of the Republic has been requested.
The workers completed the first of five scheduled summer strikes last weekend, resulting in delays and flight cancellations. The next four-day strike is set for August 8 to 11.
Additional strikes are planned from August 15 to 18, August 22 to 25, and August 29 to September 1.
The strike stems from demands for ending wages below the national minimum, improved pay, payment for night work, and maintaining parking access under the same terms and conditions that have always applied, according to workers’ representatives.
