Just weeks after cancelling planned strikes in August, the Portuguese Metalworking and Related Industries Union (SIMA) has announced a new wave of strikes at airports across the country.
The walkouts will affect Menzies (formerly Groundforce), the company responsible for ground handling services, and will run intermittently from September 3, 2025, until January 2, 2026. The strike schedule will affect busy travel periods, including long weekends, Christmas, and New Year.
The union is demanding an end to base salaries below the national minimum wage of €870, payment for night shifts, the maintenance of benefits such as staff parking, and full compliance with an earlier memorandum of understanding.
According to SIMA, base salaries below the legal minimum violate a written notice sent by TAP – one of Menzies’ shareholders – declaring such pay levels illegal.
Menzies added that the cancellation of the August strikes, contrary to what was reported, was not due to any deal or formal agreement and that its position “remains unchanged,” with no adjustments planned to commitments already set until 2029.
SIMA represents about 4% of Menzies’ 3,600 workers. The union said minimum services for safety and essential equipment maintenance will be ensured during the strikes.
Planned strike dates
- September: 3–9, 12–15, 19–22, 26–28
- October: 3–6, 10–13, 17–20, 24–27, 31 Oct–3 Nov
- November: 7–10, 14–17, 21–24, 28 Nov–1 Dec
- December: 5–8, 12–15, 19 Dec–2 Jan 2026
