The operators of the telescopic bridges at Faro International Airport have decided to strike this weekend in a claim over health insurance, their professional category and career progression issues, according to an announcement today from their union.
After the 2007 winding up of the company for whom they worked, 12 workers were taken on by handling company Portway which is responsible for checking-in passengers and the loading and unloading of aircraft.
The new workers claim to have fewer rights and conditions than other equivalent workers, a claim backed by their union, the Syndicate of Aviation and Airport Workers.
This weekend, which for many families is the return date after UK school holidays spent in the Algarve sunshine, has 142 departures and arrivals scheduled.
The spokesman for ANA Airports, Rui Oliveira, said that the strike may generate "small occasional delays" but this is an opinion only.
The strikers are not the only ones in the company to live with those problems, said union boss Rui Sena, adding that they are in the same situation as workers who operate the carousel and who collect the luggage trolleys at the terminal.
The telescopic bridge operatives have held these short notice strikes before as they are covered by a blanket strike notice in effect until the end of the year over holidays, overtime and weekend working.
