Menzies workers begin their second four-day strike on Friday (8 August), of a total of five planned for the summer, the peak tourism season, with the company and the union exchanging accusations of an unwillingness to engage in dialogue.

"This strike is the direct result of the intransigence of Menzies' management, represented by its vice-president, Rui Gomes, who chose confrontation over dialogue, refusing solutions that respect workers' rights and the country's interests," the Metallurgical and Related Industries Union (SIMA) accused in a statement today.

According to the union, "in the midst of peak tourism season, Menzies and TAP chose to turn their backs on their employees, customers, and all those who visit Portugal, with an arrogant, irresponsible, and calculated attitude."

"Faced with persistent labour problems and the workers' just demands, Menzies and TAP's response was clear: no negotiation," it stressed. A Menzies spokesperson lamented, in statements sent to the media, "that the unions insist on promoting a distorted narrative, based on unfounded allegations, and demonstrate a lack of willingness to engage in fair and honest dialogue."

"We also regret that a strike was called based on distorted and unfounded arguments, and we call for constructive dialogue to avoid unnecessary disruption to passengers at a time of high activity in the aviation sector," added the British company, which owns 50.1% of the former Groundforce (the remaining 49.9% remained with TAP).

The strikes were called by SIMA and the Transport Union (ST) to end base wages below the national minimum wage, improve wages, and enforce night shift pay, among other demands. The next strike period will begin at midnight and end at midnight on Monday.

In a statement released today, SIMA stated that the Ministry of Infrastructure requested a proposal from the union to consider calling off the strike at a meeting held last Friday. "SIMA, as requested, sent its proposal to the Ministry. To date, there has been no response," the union stated.

The first strike by ground handling workers, between July 25th and 28th, led to the cancellation of several dozen flights at Lisbon Airport, delays, and instances where planes departed with only passengers, without baggage or cargo, according to the union.

For the upcoming strike, André Silva, a SIMA spokesperson, told Lusa that he expects a similar impact, although the full extent of worker participation and operational disruptions will only be fully understood in the days ahead. Menzies considered the minimum services defined by the Economic and Social Council insufficient and reiterated that "robust" contingency plans were implemented, aligned with those minimum services "and with full respect for workers' rights."

SIMA reported last week that it had filed two criminal complaints with the Public Prosecutor's Office against the management of SPdH/Menzies and TAP. One of them is for violating the Constitution and the Strike Law, "based on the direct replacement of striking workers, unilateral changes to schedules, suspension of breaks during periods of extreme heat, and various forms of repression and illegitimate pressure on workers," and the other "for paying base wages below the National Minimum Wage (SMN), a serious and unacceptable violation of Portuguese labour law."

In statements sent at the time, Menzies said it did not comment on legal matters, ensuring that it acts "strictly, in accordance with the law" and with its contractual obligations, "maintaining a firm commitment to fair labor practices and open and constructive dialogue with all stakeholders."

Strikes are scheduled until the last weekend of August, on all days between August 15th and 18th, August 22nd and 25th, and August 29th and September 1st.