EasyJet has canceled 350 flights departing from Portugal between July 21st and July 25th due to a scheduled strike.
Last Thursday, the National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel refused the airline’s proposal for a budget increase and scheduled a cabin crew strike for the period mentioned above.
The union demands conditions similar to those granted in other countries, such as Germany and France. In these two countries, EasyJet increased budgets even though the number of flights increased more in Portugal.
The airline, on the other hand, states that the demands of the union are unbearable and that the refused budget proposal already reflected an increase of 44% considering the global remuneration standards. According to the company, the union’s budget demands are unrealistic.
Nevertheless, the union emphasized that EasyJet’s proposal for Portugal’s operational base does not cover the current inflation and does not make up for what was lost during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Note that, unlike other countries where the airline operates, during the pandemic, Portuguese cabin crew workers voted unanimously for a wage freeze that helped the company in its most difficult times.
The 350 flights account for 69% of the total number of EasyJet flights that would depart from Portugal (Lisboa, Porto, and Faro) during the period mentioned above. This number may increase, or decrease, depending on how the airline responds.
The union mentioned that it is available for further negotiations. However, it is clear that it will not cope with the airline’s current modus operandi of maximum rentability and minimum remuneration.
