Easyjet Portugal flight attendants go on strike for five days

Portuguese airports destroyed? Since Friday, flight attendants at Portugal-based low-cost British airline EasyJet have launched a five-day strike demanding higher wages. Employees at the company’s Portuguese firm, who have already gone on strike in April and May, feel they are being discriminated against compared to their counterparts in Europe.

Salary that has not kept pace with brand growth in Portugal

The low-cost British airline has grown significantly in Portugal in recent years, especially after acquiring 18 runways from state-owned TAP, which is subject to a restructuring plan. However, according to the staff, the development of its presence did not match the increase in wages. “We want wages to accompany the growth and strengthening of the brand in Portugal,” explained Ricardo Penarroyas, president of the National Union of Civil Aviation Personnel (SNPVAC).

“We are aiming to find an agreement,” EasyJet said. However, the company said it could not respond to the union’s latest demands. The latter calls for a 44% increase for full-time contracts.

Does not affect major Portuguese airports

According to the union that began the mobilization, the company canceled about 300 flights. Information that EasyJet denies. These flights weren’t abruptly canceled, the carrier said, but were “excluded from the program for a few weeks” to allow travelers to organize in advance. However, the impact at the main Portuguese airports was limited as the company adjusted its offer. “We intend to operate 100% scheduled flights from Lisbon, Faro (South), Funchal and Porto Santo (Madeira),” EasyJet said in a press release.

In total, the carrier plans to cancel four flights from Porto Airport. Finally, the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Infrastructure, which oversees transport, have established a minimum service that allows, inter alia, to support flights during the tourist period between Portugal and the Portuguese islands of the Azores and Madeira, as well as to European capitals such as London or Paris.