Passengers flying from a favourite destination for UK holidaymakers discovered their luggage had been left behind, according to reports. The big strike in Portugal saw dozens of flights departed without passengers’ luggage, causing baggage backlogs and major disruption.
The strike has already led to delays and the cancellation of at least 20 flights. Lisbon Airport experienced absolute chaos this weekend. After a bomb threat on a SATA plane, which forced an emergency landing, dozens of flights left Lisbon without passengers’ luggage due to the strike by Menzies workers. A video showed piled-up suitcases, which continue to accumulate as passengers head off to their destinations.
As well as hitting departing flights, the Metalworkers’ and Allied Industries Union strike also led to problems with arriving flights, with a lack of staff to unload baggage from the planes.
This Saturday’s strike by SPdH/Menzies (formerly Groundforce) workers has so far caused delays and the cancellation of 20 flights at Lisbon Airport, ANA (Airports of Portugal) told Lusa.
ANA advised passengers on flights operated by Menzies, the company responsible for ground handling services, to contact their airline in advance to confirm the status of their flight before heading to the airport, Observador reported.
The strike caused cancellation of 36 flights at Lisbon airport were also cancelled due to the strike, on Sunday, according to the union. Carlos Araújo, leader of the Union of Metallurgical and Related Industries (SIMA) said: “At Lisbon airport, there is utter chaos. It will take at least a week to restore normality with the baggage.”
The union is calling for workers to participate in a gathering on Monday “Fight for your rights. Fight for your future. Together we are stronger. We are counting on you,” SIMA says.
The ongoing strike, called by SIMA and the Transport Workers’ Union, began at 00:00 on Friday and continues until 24:00 on Monday. This is the first of five four-day strikes scheduled for weekends until early September.
In August, strike periods are scheduled for 8th to 11th, 15th to 18th, 22nd to 25th, and from 29th August to 1st September.
Among the workers’ demands are an end to basic salaries below the national minimum wage, payment for night hours, better salary conditions, and maintaining access to parking under previous arrangements, CNN Portugal reported.