Menzies workers begin new 4-day strike

Workers at Menzies, formerly Grandforce, are beginning their second four-day strike this Friday, out of a total of five planned for the summer, with the company and union exchanging accusations of unwillingness to engage in dialogue.

"This strike is the direct result of the intransigence of Menzies management, represented by its vice-president Rui Gomes, who opted for confrontation instead of dialogue, refusing solutions that respected workers' rights and the country's interests," accused the Metallurgical and Related Industries Union (SIMA), in a statement released this Thursday.

According to the union, "in the middle of peak tourism season, Menzies and TAP chose to turn their backs on their employees, customers, and everyone who visits Portugal, with an arrogant, irresponsible, and calculated attitude."

A Menzies spokesperson lamented, in statements sent to the media, “that the unions insist on promoting a distorted narrative, based on unfounded allegations and demonstrate a lack of willingness to engage in fair and honest dialogue.”

“We also regret that a strike was called based on distorted and unfounded arguments, and we call for a constructive dialogue, with a view to avoiding unnecessary disruption to passengers at a time of great activity in the aviation sector”, also highlighted the British company Menzies Aviation, which owns 50.1% of the former Groundforce (the remaining 49.9% remained with TAP).

The strikes were called by SIMA and the Transport Union (ST), for the end of base wages below the national minimum, better wages, compliance with the payment of night hours, among other demands, with the next period starting at 00:00 this Friday and ending at 24:00 on Monday.

The first strike by groundhandling workers, between July 25 and 28, led to the cancellation of several dozen flights at Lisbon airport, delays and cases in which planes took off with only passengers, without baggage or cargo, according to the union.

For the next strike, André Silva, spokesperson for SIMA, told Lusa he expects a similar impact, although only on the days themselves will it be possible to understand the extent of worker participation and disruptions to operations.

Menzies considered that the minimum services defined by the Economic and Social Council are insufficient and reiterated that “robust” contingency plans were implemented, aligned with those minimum services “and with full respect for workers' rights”.

SIMA reported last week that it filed two criminal complaints with the Public Prosecutor's Office against the administrations of SPdH/Menzies and TAP, one of them for violating the Constitution of the Republic and the Strike Law, "based on the direct replacement of striking workers, unilateral changes to schedules, suspension of breaks during periods of extreme heat, and various forms of repression and illegitimate pressure on workers", and another "for paying base wages below the national minimum wage, a serious and unacceptable violation of Portuguese labor law".

In statements sent at the time, Menzies said it did not comment on legal matters, ensuring that it acts "strictly, in accordance with the law" and with the contractual obligations assumed, "maintaining a firm commitment to fair labor practices and to an open and constructive dialogue with all stakeholders."

Strikes are scheduled until the last weekend of August, on all days between August 15 and 18, August 22 and 25, and August 29 and September 1.