easyJet cabin crew in Portugal to strike in October and December
Cabin crew at easyJet's Portuguese operations plan two strikes, in October and December, over pay and working conditions, with flights from Lisbon, Porto and Faro affected.
Portugal's National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (SNPVAC) has announced that easyJet cabin crew will hold two strikes — from 2 to 6 October and from 19 to 23 December. The action is expected to disrupt the airline's operations at Lisbon, Porto and Faro airports.
According to the union, around 500 scheduled flights could be grounded during the October strike alone, not counting any minimum services imposed by authorities. The December strike could prove even more disruptive, as it falls during the busy Christmas travel season.
The decision to strike was approved unanimously at an emergency general meeting attended by 188 easyJet employees. The union said the move follows repeated attempts to resolve pay and labour disputes that the company has allegedly ignored.
Grievances
Workers cite frequent changes to duty rosters, an alleged breach of the collective labour agreement, unequal treatment compared with pilots, poor operational planning, and pressure to work overtime due to staff shortages.
SNPVAC says Portuguese crew are paid less than staff at other airlines operating in Portugal, and less than easyJet crew in other countries within its network, where the union says wages better reflect the cost of living and minimum wage levels.
The union also alleges that easyJet has repeatedly replaced striking staff with managers and colleagues from other countries to keep flights running that would otherwise be cancelled, which it says undermines the right to strike.
The October strike coincides with the long weekend around Portugal's Republic Day holiday on 5 October, while the December strike ends just two days before Christmas, a peak period for holiday travel.
