The National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (SNPVCA) thanked, in a statement sent to members, “the strong support for the strike”, which caused “the cancellation of around 400 flights”.
“On December 11, the strike caused the cancellation of around 400 flights, with only minimum service flights being carried out, with the exception of two companies — easyJet and Ryanair”, announced the SNPVCA, on Thursday night.
In relation to the two ‘low cost’ companies, the union adds that, “although they were residual, the flights carried out on easyJet, in addition to the minimum services, were operated by managers or crew from other bases, once again violating Portuguese legislation. This situation is unacceptable and repetitive, so ACT [Autoridade para as Condições de Trabalho] will be called upon to intervene again and administrative proceedings will be initiated against easyJet”.
The union blames the Government for “responsibility for the inconvenience caused to passengers and for the expenses inherent to this day’s strike”. “The intransigent stance of this Government is entirely responsible”, states the SNPVA.
The SNPVCA emphasizes that, “despite the devaluation made by the Government on the membership percentages and the attempt to discredit it, the overwhelming force of this strike is evident, with several flights having even been canceled in the previous days”, with the companies assuming that “the membership would be overwhelming, [e] not risking a very likely chaos at airports”.
“Therefore, to say that the general strike was insignificant is to be unaware of reality or to be tied to its ideological doctrine”, adds the statement.
The Government, through the Minister of the Presidency, Leitão Amaro, considered participation in the strike insignificant, and estimated participation between 0 and 10%.
The CGTP claimed that three million workers joined the strike and the UGT estimated 80% participation.
This was the first general strike called by the CGTP and UGT in 12 years and affected sectors such as transport, schools, hospitals and health centers.