Two strikes announced, for December 24 and 31
Workers at handling company Portway, which provides ground handling services at airports, have called a strike over the Christmas and New Year period, including 24 hours on December 24 and 31, according to a joint statement released today by the Democratic Union of Airport and Aviation Workers (Sindav), the Union of Airport Handling Technicians (STHAA), the Union of Handling, Aviation and Airport Workers (Sitava) and the Union of Workers in the Merchant Navy, Travel Agencies.
The unions all requested “the opening of a conciliation process with the DGERT/Ministry of Labour, which unfortunately could only be scheduled for December 18”, explains the statement.
Faced with this situation – and with Portway “maintaining its position” until now, the unions say, “there was no alternative but to issue this strike notice”.
The strike will cover all overtime work from 00:00 on December 24 to midnight on January 1, 2025. It will also take place from 00:00 on December 24 until midnight on the same day and from 00:00 on December 31 until midnight, and from December 24 to January 2, 2025, “the strike will also cover work on public holidays that are normal working days”.
It sounds confusing but essentially everything has been timed to cause maximum delays for flight schedules (ie. passengers).
The impetus for the industrial action is workers’ dissatisfaction with salaries/ associated allowances, and the fact that pay negotiations for 2025 should have been published last month.
Source: LUSA
