Unannounced work stoppage by SATA Air Azores' flight attendants
The much-anticipated strike by the cabin crew of SATA Air Açores, scheduled for July 18-24, has been called off. The strike was initially planned due to demands for a pay increase and better working conditions on board the airline’s aging Dash 200 aircrafts.
The union representing the crew, SNPVAC, criticized SATA Air Açores for devaluing their workers compared to other employees within the SATA Group. The company’s salary increase proposal was reportedly below expectations for the roughly 60 crew members involved. The working conditions were also a major gripe, with complaints about noise and heat on the planes and an absence of adequate company measures to improve these conditions over the years.
The strike was intended to highlight these issues and push for parity in pay and improvements in onboard environment comfort and safety. However, by July 17, SATA Air Açores had acknowledged receiving the strike notice. While there was no clear public statement about successful negotiations leading to the cancellation, statements by regional authorities and no further news about the strike taking place suggest that some resolution or a halt occurred to avoid the disruption.
Despite the strike being called off, the demands for improved working conditions and a salary increase by the cabin crew remain unmet. The union representative, Ricardo Penarróias, stated that the negotiated agreement and proposal are "below expectations". He lamented that the company has been devaluing the cabin crew of SATA Air Açores over the years.
The positive outcome of the agreement allows for regular inter-island air operations during a critical phase of the year, marking a relief for tourists and locals alike. However, the ongoing labor tensions within SATA Air Açores concerning compensation and the work environment remain a concern, especially given the challenges posed by aging aircraft.
- The cancelled strike by SATA Air Açores' cabin crew didn't resolve their demands for a salary increase and better working conditions, as the union representative, Ricardo Penarróias, stated that the agreement is still considered "below expectations."
- Despite the hot summer of sports events taking place worldwide, the airline industry remains in the spotlight due to ongoing labor tensions within SATA Air Açores, with their aging aircraft potentially compounding the challenges of providing a suitable work environment for their crew members.
