The crew union president, who this Thursday decided to continue the strike at TAP at the end of the month, told Lusa that workers’ discontent is “huge” but leaves the door open for dialogue with the company.
“It was probably one of the biggest voices ever and it’s a sign that I hope the government, I hope the government gets it once and for all.”said the president of the National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (SNPVAC), Ricardo Penarróias, in statements to Lusa news agency.
SNPVAC members rejected TAP’s proposal at a general meeting on Thursday and decided to maintain the strike announcement between Jan. 25 and Jan. 31, an official source said.
The crew, gathered in a general meeting since about 10 a.m. in a Lisbon hotel, for the second time rejected a TAP proposal, which met 12 of the union’s 14 demands, in an attempt to prevent another strike. of seven days, after a two-day interruption in December had an impact of around €8 million on the airline.
According to the same source, 857 members voted against TAP’s proposal, 29 in favor and nine abstained.
When asked if there is still a chance to avoid the strike, the union leader said they “remain open to dialogue” with TAP.
“The proof of our openness to dialogue is undoubtedly the fact that we have, exceptionally, left the general meeting open, so that a meeting can be scheduled within 24 hours, so that a decision can be made on whether or not to withdraw . the prepayment. strike notice”said the chairman of the SNPVAC.
However, the official noted that given the results of Thursday’s vote, “The analysis made is that at the moment [a TAP] won’t be able to escape much from the 14 points overall”.
Of the crew’s 14 claims, TAP did not accept two, which according to Ricardo Penarróias are related to the return of cabin crew on long-haul flights of the A330 aircraft and “a peculiarity” regarding the extra rest on certain flights.
“More than these two points is the whole situation around the administration, around the TAP group and I still don’t understand why other unions, other workers don’t demonstrate it except in spontaneous demonstrations, but the truth is that this dissatisfaction, many of what has been said in this meeting today is the reality and feeling of all employees of the TAP group and not just a few”emphasized the union leader.
SNPVAC also accused the airline of abusing its power during the pandemic and making contingency deals with unions that allowed a restructuring plan to be implemented with pay cuts, “climbing” above entitlements, benefits and salaries “in an anarchic situation”. manner, making unlawful dismissals”.
“The sense of revolt stems a lot from what happened in that period when the company let us pass for numbers without mercy, passed us off as mere algorithms and right now the company is sowing what is happening now in the TAP group and in especially with the cabin crew”defended Ricardo Penarróias.
Source: DN
