The action, to be staged on Thursday this week, Easter Sunday and next Monday, will be going ahead, the SNPVAC (National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel) confirmed on Tuesday.
This is, the union explained in a statement quoted by site Economia Online, because talks with the airline “proved to be fruitless, as Ryanair does not want to accept applying Portuguese Law”, namely in terms of the rights inscribed in the Constitution and the Labour Code, such as parental rights.
According to Economia Online, the union also wants the company to stop “disciplinary proceedings when onboard sales targets are not hit”, as well as considering a sick leave due to illness as an unjustified absence.
“What is the Portuguese State doing when it allows its people to be disrespected in their own country? Where is the Government, which has belittled itself to the point of supporting a company that ignores the Portuguese laws?” the SNPVAC slammed in its statement.
The union further said that, “unlike the Government, Ryanair cabin crew members respect and demand their basic rights.
“And even the vile threat to close the bases in Portugal does not frighten us”, they said in the statement.
In response to questions posed by Lusa News Agency about the stoppage over this upcoming Easter period, Ryanair only said: “We do not comment on rumours or speculation”.
On 21 February, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said he believed that the Easter cabin crew strike would not go ahead because his Portuguese personnel are “satisfied”, and criticised the SNPVAC for calling the stoppage.
Addressing accusations that the low-cost airline does not comply with Portuguese labour laws and has seen working conditions deteriorate in recent years, Michael O’Leary stressed that “conditions have actually been improving”.
“Our flight crew members are entitled to leave at the end of each week, and pay increases that result in an additional 25 to 45 euros per year”, he explained.
Michael O’Leary dismissed allegations of pressure on the company’s employees, urging that “if there is evidence of bullying, cases should be brought forward”, and also criticised the fact that the SNPVAC recently refused to meet with the airline in Dublin, Ireland, where the company is headquartered.
Still, Ryanair’s outspoken CEO admitted that, “if the strike does go ahead, flights may be cancelled.”