Unions involved in last weekend’s handlers’ strike at Portugal’s airports claim adherence was 90%, minimised only by the use of temporary workers by Menzies (formerly Groundforce). Union leader Carlos Oliveira told Lusa: “People with no technical qualifications were doing the boarding, and aviation safety was jeopardised”. This may not have been the opinion of airline passengers, who will have been delighted that they were able to get on with their journeys as planned. But Oliveira considers the episode has taken labour relations “back to the days of Salazarism (Portugal’s long-term dictatorship). “Threats to employees of temporary labour companies were at the level of the PIDE (the secret police of the dictatorship) and I have proof”, he told Lusa. “The pressure from Menzies was frightening and unheard of in 30 years”. Carlos Oliveira said unions are considering bringing criminal charges, “and taking action against the Public Prosecutor’s Office”.
Sour grapes as threatened airport disruption during handler’s strike did not materialise
Menzies had promised a 'contingency plan' for this strike, and passengers definitely reaped the benefit of it. Image: @anaaeroportos
