The strike at easyJet is registering 73% adherence, according to the company, but the National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (SNPVAC) points to a level “close to 100%”, with “93% of flights canceled”.
In a statement sent to the Lusa news agency, easyJet said that, “so far, adherence to the crew strike has been 73%”, stressing that “most of the flights scheduled for today will take place in the afternoon, which may positively influence these figures throughout the day”.
“For reference, we have eight flights scheduled for the morning and 22 for the afternoon,” she said.
Contacted by Lusa, Ana Dias, from SNPVAC, pointed out, however, that the level of adherence to the strike was “close to 100%, because 93% of the flights have already been canceled, not counting the minimum services”.
“Now we still have 18 connections in these three days [of strike] that may or may not be canceled, depending on the rest of the crew’s adherence,” he added.
Regarding the 73% adherence rate put forward by easyjet, the union official said that “only if they are counting flights operated by other crew members from other bases”, but stressed that “they are not on strike, it is the Portuguese crew members who are on strike”.
“Or they’re relying on minimum services… I’m not sure what those figures are,” he said.
The strike called by the SNPVAC at the easyJet airline started today and could affect the airline’s flights until Saturday.
The SNPVAC has called a three-day strike for all flights operated by easyJet, as well as for other services to which cabin crew are assigned, “whose presentation times occur in national territory starting at 00:01 on August 15 and ending at 24:00 on August 17,” according to the notice delivered on July 31.
Thus, a flight originating outside Portugal, to Lisbon for example, and returning to the base of origin is not covered by the strike notice.
easyJet, for its part, said that it plans to operate 62% of its scheduled flights to and from Portugal before the cabin crew strike, which includes those not covered by the strike notice.
“Due to this unnecessary strike action, easyJet has had to cancel some flights in its program. However, the airline plans to operate 62% of its flight schedule in Portugal during the strike period,” it said in a statement sent to Lusa.
Questioned by Lusa, easyJet clarified that “the 62% refers to the original operation of scheduled flights to and from Portugal before the strike”, i.e. “the company plans to operate 62% of the originally scheduled flights that touch down in Portugal”.
“Between August 15, 16 and 17, we were planning 1,138 flights to and from Portugal, but we had to cancel 232 flights due to the strike. This means that, to and from Portugal, we are planning to fly 906 flights,” said the carrier.
The SNPVAC called for “common sense on the part of the company, so that it can give in to the just demands of its workers” and “instead of canceling flights in series, find solutions to avoid” the strike.
The strike was approved at a general meeting, with 99% in favor, and the union accuses the company of ignoring several attempts to resolve labor issues, including staff shortages and an increase in working hours.
The company said that customers of the canceled flights have already been contacted and will be entitled to a refund or free transfer to a new flight.
easyJet also advised customers traveling to and from Portugal during the strike period to check the status of their flights.
