America News Agency

The unions plan a total of 76 strike days, starting yesterday and continuing through January. Workers are targeting long weekends, Christmas, and New Year. The disruptions are expected to affect travel in the coming months.

The strikes were called by SIMA (Metal and Related Industries Workers’ Union) and the Transport Union (STA). The first series began on Wednesday, September 3, and will last until Tuesday, September 9.

The final strike is not expected to end before January 2, 2026.

Workers are demanding an end to base wages below the minimum wage, improvements in salaries, and compliance with night shift pay.

The Portuguese Economic and Social Council Arbitration Court issued a ruling mandating minimum services at airports — a decision widely criticized by unions, including SIMA. The court stated that the decision requires ensuring about 80% of normal operations.

The union added: “They call this minimum, but it is extremely brazen and turns the strike into a staged comedy to protect the company and humiliate the workers.”

The latest wave of strikes follows previous protests in July and August. After talks with the Ministry of Labor, unions suspended strikes planned for the end of last month. Menzies said no progress was made in the agreement.