Airline services are persistently being suspended due to employee strike

Airline services are persistently being suspended due to employee strike

Ongoing Four-Day Strikes at Menzies Handling Company Cause Travel Disruptions in Portugal

The four-day strikes organized by SIMA and the Transport Union at Menzies handling company in Portugal are currently ongoing and scheduled to continue over the weekends through early September. The next strike period starts at 12:00 AM on Friday, August 8, 2025, and runs through Monday, with further strikes on the weekends of August 15-18, 22-25, and 29 August to 1 September [1][3].

These strikes are due to unresolved disputes over base salaries below the national minimum wage, night-hour pay, and better working conditions. Negotiations have reached a deadlock, with Menzies management refusing concessions, prompting SIMA to warn about the ongoing and expanding strike action [1][3].

The strikes affect Portuguese airports including Lisbon, Porto, Faro, and island airports like Funchal (Madeira) and Ponta Delgada (Azores). Lisbon Airport, employing around 2,000 Menzies workers, is expected to experience the greatest disruption, including flight cancellations, delays, and baggage handling issues [2][3][4].

Travelers are advised to stay in close contact with their airlines for flight updates and prepare for potential delays and cancellations during these strike days. The Lisbon Airport Authority and other organizations have issued warnings about travel disruptions during these weekends [2][3].

During the strike periods, most of the cargo was not loaded, and more than 40 to 50 trucks with cargo are currently at the cargo terminal, either waiting to be unloaded or waiting times for the trucks have exceeded the truckers' timetables [5].

Union leaders have expressed hope that the company will adjust its pace and provide a guarantee to review salary scales on a specific date before the next strike. However, the company's position remains unchanged, stating that negotiations will not occur while strike notices remain in effect [6].

The impact of the strike was less severe at some airports, but it was still felt. Union leaders have emphasized that the current strike is not just an excuse, but a necessary action to address the issues at hand [7].

Lusa has contacted ANA - Aeroportos de Portugal for a response, but is awaiting a reply.

In summary, the strike action is active, continuing through early September on specified weekends, significantly impacting airport ground operations and passenger travel in Portugal [1][2][3]. Travelers are advised to stay informed and plan accordingly to avoid any inconveniences caused by these strikes.

1. The ongoing strikes at Menzies handling company in Portugal, affecting airports such as Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Funchal (Madeira), and Ponta Delgada (Azores), are set to continue through early September, causing disruptions in the transportation industry and potentially leading to flight cancellations, delays, and baggage handling issues.
2. The unrest stems from unresolved disputes over base salaries below the national minimum wage, night-hour pay, and better working conditions, with Menzies management refusing concessions and negotiations at a deadlock.
3. The public-transit and aerospace sectors, as well as the finance industry and businesses relying on transportation, may also feel the effects of these strikes, especially during the periods scheduled for August 8-11, August 15-18, August 22-25, and August 29 to September 1.
4. Union leaders and airport authorities have urged travelers to stay updated on their flight statuses and prepare for potential disruptions, while union representatives express hope for a resolution to the dispute and an agreement to review salary scales in the future.

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