Summer airport strikes called off following agreement between SIMA and Menzies
In a significant development, the Metal Industries Union and Similar Trades Union (SIMA) has withdrawn its strike notice against Menzies (ex-Groundforce) following an agreement reached with the company's management at the Ministry of Labor, Solidarity, and Social Security.
The strikes, which took place from July 25 to 28 and August 8 to 11, were called in response to concerns over wages below the national minimum wage, inadequate night shift payments, and failure to honour previously agreed wage progression for 2026.
SIMA had been vocal in its criticism of Menzies' management, accusing them of refusing dialogue and solutions that respected workers' rights. However, the company has expressed regret at the strikes and claimed to have contingency plans to mitigate disruptions and operate within the law.
While the specific terms of the agreement have not been made public, the agreement does address the end of wages below the minimum wage, better salaries for SIMA's members, and the payment of overtime hours. As a result, SIMA's members will not go on strike.
It is worth noting that other demands, including better salaries and compliance with night shift pay, were also part of the union's demands. However, the exact details of how these demands have been addressed in the agreement are not clear at this time.
The cancellation of the strikes is a positive step, but it does not necessarily indicate a comprehensive resolution to the dispute. New strikes were announced later in August, suggesting that the issues may not yet be fully resolved.
In conclusion, while the strikes have been withdrawn, the specific contractual terms agreed between SIMA and Menzies that definitively ended strike actions have not been clearly disclosed. The core issues revolve around wage levels, night shift pay compliance, and honoring prior wage agreements. The parties involved are encouraged to continue negotiations in good faith to reach a final and lasting resolution.
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