According to the president of the National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (SNPVAC), who called for the strike by around 60 workers at Sata Air Açores (which provides flights between the nine islands), the negotiated agreement and the proposal presented are “below expectations” and are unable to “bridge the gap that has existed over the years with other professional classes”.

“Over the years, the company has been undervaluing the crew members of Sata Air Açores,” he lamented, highlighting that they “demand the same conditions as other workers in the group.”

The union leader pointed to another reason for the strike as the working conditions on the Dash 200 planes, which “are very old and have created immense problems for the company, but also for the work itself.”

“The working conditions [on the Dash 200] are terrible, not only in terms of noise but also the heat felt on the planes, which is unbearable,” he said, considering that “the company is slow to find alternative solutions and materials that provide some conditions to alleviate” the situation on board.

In this regard, Ricardo Penarróias said that the company has already been asked to “manage the Dash 200s more appropriately,” in addition to “reducing flight times and, above all, improving working conditions.”

“On this particular point, the company could perfectly well control and be bold,” the union leader stressed.

Contacted by Lusa, a source from the SATA group press office confirmed receipt of the strike notice, but refused to say whether the company was willing to negotiate with the union.